Staple cartridge comprising a lockout key configured to lift a firing member

ABSTRACT

A surgical stapling assembly is disclosed. The surgical stapling assembly comprises a stapling instrument configured to receive a staple cartridge therein. The stapling instrument comprises a first jaw, a second jaw movable relative to the first jaw, a firing member configured to push a sled to deploy staples, and a lockout configured to prevent the firing member from advancing distally when the staple cartridge is not properly seated within the stapling instrument and when the sled of the staple cartridge is not in an unfired position, wherein a lockout key of the staple cartridge defeats a first stage of the lockout when the staple cartridge is fully seated in the stapling instrument, and wherein the sled defeats a second stage of the lockout when the sled is in the unfired position and the staple cartridge is fully seated in the stapling instrument.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional PatentApplication Ser. No. 62/807,310, entitled METHODS FOR CONTROLLING APOWERED SURGICAL STAPLER THAT HAS SEPARATE ROTARY CLOSURE AND FIRINGSYSTEMS, filed Feb. 19, 2019, of U.S. Provisional Patent ApplicationSer. No. 62/807,319, entitled SURGICAL STAPLING DEVICES WITH IMPROVEDLOCKOUT SYSTEMS, filed Feb. 19, 2019, and of U.S. Provisional PatentApplication Ser. No. 62/807,309, entitled SURGICAL STAPLING DEVICES WITHIMPROVED ROTARY DRIVEN CLOSURE SYSTEMS, filed Feb. 19, 2019, thedisclosures of which are incorporated by reference herein in theirentireties. This application claims the benefit of U.S. ProvisionalPatent Application Ser. No. 62/650,887, entitled SURGICAL SYSTEMS WITHOPTIMIZED SENSING CAPABILITIES, filed Mar. 30, 2018, the disclosure ofwhich is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. Thisapplication claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent ApplicationSer. No. 62/649,302, entitled INTERACTIVE SURGICAL SYSTEMS WITHENCRYPTED COMMUNICATION CAPABILITIES, filed Mar. 28, 2018, of U.S.Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/649,294, entitled DATASTRIPPING METHOD TO INTERROGATE PATIENT RECORDS AND CREATE ANONYMIZEDRECORD, filed Mar. 28, 2018, of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser.No. 62/649,300, entitled SURGICAL HUB SITUATIONAL AWARENESS, filed Mar.28, 2018, of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/649,309,entitled SURGICAL HUB SPATIAL AWARENESS TO DETERMINE DEVICES INOPERATING THEATER, filed Mar. 28, 2018, of U.S. Provisional PatentApplication Ser. No. 62/649,310, entitled COMPUTER IMPLEMENTEDINTERACTIVE SURGICAL SYSTEMS, filed Mar. 28, 2018, of U.S. ProvisionalPatent Application Ser. No. 62/649,291, entitled USE OF LASER LIGHT ANDRED-GREEN-BLUE COLORATION TO DETERMINE PROPERTIES OF BACK SCATTEREDLIGHT, filed Mar. 28, 2018, of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser.No. 62/649,296, entitled ADAPTIVE CONTROL PROGRAM UPDATES FOR SURGICALDEVICES, filed Mar. 28, 2018, of U.S. Provisional Patent ApplicationSer. No. 62/649,333, entitled CLOUD-BASED MEDICAL ANALYTICS FORCUSTOMIZATION AND RECOMMENDATIONS TO A USER, filed Mar. 28, 2018, ofU.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/649,327, entitledCLOUD-BASED MEDICAL ANALYTICS FOR SECURITY AND AUTHENTICATION TRENDS ANDREACTIVE MEASURES, filed Mar. 28, 2018, of U.S. Provisional PatentApplication Ser. No. 62/649,315, entitled DATA HANDLING ANDPRIORITIZATION IN A CLOUD ANALYTICS NETWORK, filed Mar. 28, 2018, ofU.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/649,313, entitled CLOUDINTERFACE FOR COUPLED SURGICAL DEVICES, filed Mar. 28, 2018, of U.S.Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/649,320, entitled DRIVEARRANGEMENTS FOR ROBOT-ASSISTED SURGICAL PLATFORMS, filed Mar. 28, 2018,of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/649,307, entitledAUTOMATIC TOOL ADJUSTMENTS FOR ROBOT-ASSISTED SURGICAL PLATFORMS, filedMar. 28, 2018, and of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No.62/649,323, entitled SENSING ARRANGEMENTS FOR ROBOT-ASSISTED SURGICALPLATFORMS, filed Mar. 28, 2018, the disclosures of which areincorporated by reference herein in their entireties.

BACKGROUND

The present invention relates to surgical instruments and, in variousarrangements, to surgical stapling and cutting instruments and staplecartridges for use therewith that are designed to staple and cut tissue.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Various features of the embodiments described herein, together withadvantages thereof, may be understood in accordance with the followingdescription taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings asfollows:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a powered surgical stapling system;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an interchangeable surgical shaftassembly of the powered surgical stapling system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an exploded assembly view of portions of a handle assembly ofthe powered surgical stapling system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is an exploded assembly view of the interchangeable surgicalshaft assembly of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is another partial exploded assembly view of a portion of theinterchangeable surgical shaft assembly of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of another powered surgical staplingsystem;

FIG. 7 is an exploded assembly view of portion of a shaft assembly ofthe powered surgical stapling system of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is an exploded assembly view of portions of a handle assembly ofthe powered surgical stapling system of FIG. 6;

FIG. 9 is a side elevational view of another surgical end effector thatmay be employed with a rotary powered surgical stapling system;

FIG. 10 is an exploded assembly view of the surgical end effector ofFIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is an exploded assembly view of a rotary powered firing memberthat may be employed with the surgical end effector of FIGS. 9 and 10;

FIG. 12 is a partial cross-sectional view of the surgical end effectorof FIG. 9 illustrating initial insertion of a fresh, unfired surgicalstaple cartridge therein;

FIG. 13 is another partial cross-sectional view of the surgical endeffector of FIG. 12, after the surgical staple cartridge has beenoperably installed therein;

FIG. 14 is an enlarged partial cross-sectional view illustrating afiring member and a camming assembly of the end effector of FIG. 13;

FIG. 15 is another partial cross-sectional view of the surgical endeffector of FIG. 9, prior to insertion of a fresh surgical staplecartridge therein and with a firing member lockout assembly thereof in alocked position;

FIG. 16 is an enlarged partial cross-sectional view illustrating afiring member and lockout lugs of the end effector of FIG. 15, with acamming assembly and end effector channel omitted for clarity;

FIG. 17 is a side elevational view of another surgical end effector withan anvil thereof in an open position;

FIG. 18 is a partial bottom perspective view of the surgical endeffector of FIG. 17;

FIG. 19 is a perspective view of a channel mount feature and anvillockout spring of the surgical end effector of FIG. 17;

FIG. 20 is a partial bottom perspective view of the surgical endeffector of FIG. 17 without a surgical staple cartridge installedtherein and the anvil thereof in a locked position;

FIG. 21 is another partial bottom perspective view of the surgical endeffector of FIG. 20 after a compatible surgical staple cartridge hasbeen installed therein and the anvil lockout spring moved to an unlockedposition;

FIG. 22 is a perspective view of a proximal end portion of the surgicalstaple cartridge depicted in FIG. 21;

FIG. 23 is a partial exploded assembly view of a surgical staplecartridge and a corresponding anvil and anvil lockout system of asurgical end effector;

FIG. 24 is a partial exploded assembly view of a surgical staplecartridge and a corresponding anvil and anvil lockout system of anothersurgical end effector;

FIG. 25 is a partial bottom view of a channel of another end effectorwith a compatible surgical staple cartridge loaded therein with portionsof the compatible surgical staple cartridge omitted for clarity;

FIG. 26 is a side elevational view of a portion of the surgical endeffector of FIG. 25, with portions of a channel, anvil and cartridgeomitted for clarity;

FIG. 27 is a partial cross-sectional end view of the surgical endeffector of FIGS. 25 and 26 with the anvil shown in a closed position ona compatible surgical staple cartridge;

FIG. 28 is another partial cross-sectional end view of the surgical endeffector of FIGS. 25 and 26 with the anvil thereof shown in a lockedopen position;

FIG. 29 is a side elevational of an anvil lock of the surgical endeffector of FIGS. 25 and 26 shown in a locked configuration and anunlocked configuration (in phantom lines);

FIG. 30 is a side elevational view of a portion of another surgical endeffector, with portions of a channel, anvil and cartridge omitted forclarity;

FIG. 31 is a front elevational view of an anvil lock of the surgical endeffector of FIG. 30;

FIG. 32 is a top view of the anvil lock of FIG. 31;

FIG. 33 is a cross-sectional side view of another surgical end effectorwith an anvil thereof in an open position and with a compatible surgicalstaple cartridge installed therein;

FIG. 34 is a partial perspective view of a proximal end of a compatiblesurgical staple cartridge of FIG. 33 in relation to a portion of ananvil lock feature of the surgical end effector of FIG. 33;

FIG. 35 is a top view of a portion of a channel of the surgical endeffector of FIG. 33 and an outline of a compatible surgical staplecartridge of FIG. 33 being inserted therein;

FIG. 36 is another cross-sectional side view of the surgical endeffector of FIG. 33, with the anvil thereof in an open position duringinitial installation of an incompatible surgical staple cartridgetherein;

FIG. 37 is a cross-sectional side view of another surgical end effectorwith an anvil thereof in an open position during installation of acompatible surgical staple cartridge therein;

FIG. 38 is a cross-sectional side view of portions of another surgicalend effector with an anvil thereof in an open position duringinstallation of a compatible surgical staple cartridge therein;

FIG. 39 is a cross-sectional side view of portions of another surgicalend effector with an anvil thereof in an open position duringinstallation of a compatible surgical staple cartridge therein;

FIG. 40 is a cross-sectional side view of the end effector of FIG. 39during installation of an incompatible cartridge therein;

FIG. 41 is a partial perspective view of a proximal end portion of ananvil;

FIG. 42 is a partial perspective view of a proximal end portion ofanother anvil;

FIG. 43 is a partial cross-sectional end view of portions of anothersurgical end effector;

FIG. 44 is a partial perspective view of a proximal end portion of theanvil of the surgical end effector of FIG. 43;

FIG. 45 is a partial cross-sectional perspective view of a portion of achannel and anvil lock of the surgical end effector of FIG. 43, with theanvil lock in a locked position;

FIG. 46 is a partial side elevational view of the surgical end effectorof FIG. 43 with the anvil in an open position and the anvil lock thereofshown in a locked position in phantom lines;

FIG. 47 is another partial cross-sectional perspective view of a portionof the channel and anvil lock of the surgical end effector of FIG. 43,with the anvil lock in an unlocked position;

FIG. 48 is another partial side elevational view of the surgical endeffector of FIG. 43 with the anvil in a closed position and the anvillock thereof shown in the unlocked position in phantom lines;

FIG. 49 is a partial cross-sectional end view of portions of anothersurgical end effector;

FIG. 50 is a partial perspective view of a proximal end portion of theanvil of the surgical end effector of FIG. 49;

FIG. 51 is a partial cross-sectional side view of a portion of a channeland anvil lock of the surgical end effector of FIG. 49, with the anvillock in a locked position;

FIG. 52 is a partial side elevational view of another surgical endeffector with an anvil thereof in an open position and an anvil lockthereof shown in a locked position in phantom lines;

FIG. 53 is a side elevational view of a portion of the anvil of thesurgical end effector of FIG. 52;

FIG. 54 is a partial perspective view of a portion of the anvil of FIG.53;

FIG. 55 is a partial cross-sectional perspective view of a portion of achannel and anvil lock of the surgical end effector of FIG. 52 with theanvil lock in a locked position;

FIG. 56 is another partial cross-sectional perspective view of a portionof the channel and anvil lock of the surgical end effector of FIG. 52,with the anvil lock in an unlocked position;

FIG. 57 is a partial side elevational view of the surgical end effectorof FIG. 52 with the anvil in a closed position and the anvil lockthereof shown in the unlocked position in phantom lines;

FIG. 58 is a partial perspective view of another anvil;

FIG. 59 is a partial cross-sectional perspective view of a portion ofanother channel that may be used in connection with the anvil of FIG.58;

FIG. 60 is a side elevational view of a portion of another anvil;

FIG. 61 is a perspective view of a portion of the anvil of FIG. 60;

FIG. 62 is a perspective view of a portion of another anvil;

FIG. 63 is a side elevational view of another surgical end effector withan anvil thereof in an open position prior to installation of a surgicalstaple cartridge therein;

FIG. 64 is another side elevational view of the surgical end effector ofFIG. 63 after a compatible surgical staple cartridge has been installedtherein;

FIG. 65 is an end elevational view of an surgical end effector closuretube of the surgical end effector of FIG. 63 and with a closure lockthereof in a locked position;

FIG. 66 is another end elevational view of the surgical end effectorclosure tube and closure lock of FIG. 65, with the closure lock shown inan unlocked position;

FIG. 67 is a partial perspective view of a portion of a compatiblesurgical staple cartridge and the closure lock of the surgical endeffector of FIG. 63;

FIG. 68 is a partial side elevational view of the surgical end effectorof FIG. 63 with the anvil thereof in an open position and prior toinstallation of a surgical staple cartridge therein;

FIG. 69 is another partial side elevational view of the surgical endeffector of FIG. 68 with the anvil thereof in an open position andduring installation of a compatible surgical staple cartridge therein;

FIG. 70 is a partial side elevational view of the surgical end effectorof FIG. 68 with the anvil thereof in an open position and during initialinstallation of a compatible surgical staple cartridge therein;

FIG. 71 is another partial side elevational view of the surgical endeffector of FIG. 70 with the anvil thereof in an open position and afterthe compatible surgical staple cartridge has been operably seatedtherein;

FIG. 72 is a partial cross-sectional perspective view of a portion ofthe compatible surgical staple cartridge shown in FIGS. 70 and 71;

FIG. 73 is another partial side elevational view of the surgical endeffector of FIG. 70 with the anvil thereof in an open position andduring installation thereof of a surgical staple cartridge lacking acompatible camming assembly in a starting position;

FIG. 74 is a partial side elevational view of another surgical endeffector with an anvil thereof in an open position and during initialinstallation of a compatible surgical staple cartridge therein;

FIG. 75 is another partial side elevational view of the surgical endeffector of FIG. 74 with the anvil thereof in an open position and afterthe compatible surgical staple cartridge has been operably seatedtherein;

FIG. 76 is a perspective view of an anvil lock and channel mountingfeature of the surgical end effector of FIGS. 74 and 75;

FIG. 77 is a perspective view of a portion of a surgical staplecartridge that is compatible with the surgical end effector of FIGS. 74and 75;

FIG. 78 is another partial side elevational view of the surgical endeffector of FIG. 74 with the anvil thereof in an open position and afteran incompatible surgical staple cartridge has been seated therein;

FIG. 79 is a side elevational view of another surgical end effector witha compatible surgical staple cartridge loaded therein and an anvilthereof in an open position;

FIG. 80 is a top view of a portion of a surgical staple cartridge thatis compatible with the surgical end effector of FIG. 79 with portionsthereof omitted for clarity;

FIG. 81 is a partial cross-sectional side view of a portion of thesurgical staple cartridge of FIG. 80 installed in the surgical endeffector of FIG. 79 taken along line 81-81 in FIG. 80 showing thecartridge nose assembly in a locked position;

FIG. 82 is another partial cross-sectional side view of a portion of thesurgical staple cartridge of FIG. 80 installed in the surgical endeffector of FIG. 79 taken along line 82-82 in FIG. 80 showing thecartridge nose assembly in an unlocked position;

FIG. 83 is another partial cross-sectional side view of a portion of thesurgical staple cartridge of FIG. 80 installed in the surgical endeffector of FIG. 79 taken along line 83-83 in FIG. 80 showing thecartridge nose assembly in a locked position;

FIG. 84 is another partial cross-sectional side view of a portion of thesurgical staple cartridge of FIG. 80 installed in the surgical endeffector of FIG. 79 taken along line 84-84 in FIG. 80 showing thecartridge nose assembly in an unlocked position;

FIG. 85 is a partial cross-sectional view of a portion of a firingmember and camming assembly of a surgical staple cartridge wherein thecamming assembly is in a starting position and in unlocking engagementwith a firing member lock on a firing member;

FIG. 86 is another partial cross-sectional view of a portion of a firingmember of FIG. 85, with the firing member lock in a locked position;

FIG. 87 is a side elevational view of a portion of an anvil of anothersurgical end effector with the anvil in an open position in relation tocompatible surgical staple cartridge installed within a correspondingchannel that has been omitted for clarity;

FIG. 88 is another side elevational view of the anvil and surgicalstaple cartridge of FIG. 87 during initial closure of the anvil;

FIG. 89 is another side elevational view of the anvil and surgicalstaple cartridge of FIG. 87 after the anvil has been moved to a closedposition;

FIG. 90 is a perspective view of a portion of the compatible surgicalstaple cartridge depicted in FIGS. 87-89;

FIG. 91 is a partial bottom view of the anvil of FIGS. 87-89;

FIG. 92 is a perspective view of a portion of surgical staple cartridgethat is incompatible with the anvil of FIGS. 87-89;

FIG. 93 is a side elevational view of the anvil of FIGS. 87-89 in anopen position in relation to an incompatible surgical staple cartridgeof FIG. 92 installed within a corresponding channel that has beenomitted for clarity;

FIG. 94 is another side elevational view of the anvil and surgicalstaple cartridge of FIG. 93 during initial closure of the anvil;

FIG. 95 is another side elevational view of the anvil and surgicalstaple cartridge of FIG. 93 after the anvil has been moved to a closedposition;

FIG. 96 is a partial cross-sectional side view of a portion of anothersurgical end effector with a compatible surgical staple cartridge loadedtherein and an anvil thereof omitted for clarity;

FIG. 97 is a top view of a portion of the surgical staple cartridge andsurgical end effector of FIG. 96;

FIG. 98 is a perspective view of a portion of proximal end of acompatible surgical staple cartridge depicted in FIG. 97;

FIG. 99 is another partial cross-sectional side view of a portion of thesurgical end effector of FIG. 96 illustrating the installation of acompatible surgical staple cartridge therein;

FIG. 100 is another partial cross-sectional side view of a portion ofthe surgical end effector of FIG. 96 illustrating the installation of acompatible surgical staple cartridge therein;

FIG. 101 is a top view of the surgical end effector and compatiblesurgical staple cartridge of FIG. 98;

FIG. 102 is another partial cross-sectional side view of a portion ofthe surgical end effector of FIG. 96 illustrating the installation of anincompatible surgical staple cartridge therein;

FIG. 103 is another partial cross-sectional side view of a portion ofthe surgical end effector of FIG. 96 illustrating the installation of anincompatible surgical staple cartridge therein;

FIG. 104 is a top view of the surgical end effector and incompatiblesurgical staple cartridge of FIG. 103;

FIG. 105 is another partial cross-sectional side view of a portion ofthe surgical end effector of FIG. 96 illustrating the installation of anincompatible surgical staple cartridge therein;

FIG. 106 is a top view of the surgical end effector and incompatiblesurgical staple cartridge of FIG. 105;

FIG. 107 is a partial cross-sectional perspective view of portions ofanother surgical end effector with an incompatible surgical staplecartridge installed therein;

FIG. 108 is a partial top view of portions of the surgical end effectoran incompatible surgical staple cartridge of FIG. 107;

FIG. 109 is another partial top view of the surgical end effector ofFIG. 105, with a compatible surgical staple cartridge installed therein;

FIG. 110 is a partial cross-sectional perspective view of portions ofanother surgical end effector with a compatible surgical staplecartridge installed therein;

FIG. 111 is a partial exploded assembly view of portions of the surgicalend effector of FIG. 110;

FIG. 112 is a partial cross-sectional end view of the surgical endeffector and compatible surgical staple cartridge of FIG. 110;

FIG. 113 is another partial cross-sectional surgical end view of the endeffector of FIG. 110 with an incompatible surgical staple cartridgeinstalled therein;

FIG. 114 is another partial cross-sectional perspective view of portionsof the surgical end effector of FIG. 110 with an incompatible surgicalstaple cartridge installed therein;

FIG. 115 is a top view of the surgical end effector and surgical staplecartridge of FIG. 114;

FIG. 116 is a top view of a portion of another surgical staplecartridge;

FIG. 117 is a partial cross-sectional perspective view of a portion ofthe surgical staple cartridge of FIG. 116 with a camming assemblythereof in a locked position;

FIG. 118 is another top view of the surgical staple cartridge of FIG.116 interacting with a compatible actuator portion of a surgical endeffector;

FIG. 119 is another partial cross-sectional perspective view of aportion of the surgical staple cartridge of FIG. 116 with the cammingassembly thereof in an unlocked position;

FIG. 120 is a partial elevational view of a stapling instrumentincluding a cartridge channel, a staple cartridge positioned in thecartridge channel, and a firing member in accordance with at least oneembodiment illustrated with some components removed, wherein the firingmember is in an unfired position;

FIG. 121 is a partial elevational view of the stapling instrument ofFIG. 120 illustrating the firing member in a locked-out position;

FIG. 122 is a partial elevational view of a stapling instrumentincluding a cartridge channel, a staple cartridge positioned in thecartridge channel, and a firing member in accordance with at least oneembodiment illustrated with some components removed, wherein the firingmember is in an unfired position;

FIG. 123 is a partial elevational view of the stapling instrument ofFIG. 122 illustrating the firing member in an unlocked position;

FIG. 124 is a partial elevational view of the stapling instrument ofFIG. 122 illustrating the firing member in a locked-out position;

FIG. 125 is a partial bottom view of the stapling instrument of FIG. 122illustrating the firing member in an unfired position;

FIG. 126 is a partial perspective view of the staple cartridge of FIG.122;

FIG. 127 is a partial perspective view of a staple cartridge inaccordance with at least one embodiment;

FIG. 128 is a partial elevational view of a stapling instrumentincluding a cartridge channel, a staple cartridge positioned in thecartridge channel, and a firing member in accordance with at least oneembodiment illustrated with some components removed, wherein the firingmember is in an unfired position;

FIG. 129 is a partial elevational view of the stapling instrument ofFIG. 128 illustrating the firing member in an unlocked position;

FIG. 130 is a partial top view of the stapling instrument of FIG. 128illustrated in the unfired position of FIG. 128;

FIG. 131 is a partial top view of the stapling instrument of FIG. 128illustrated in the unlocked position of FIG. 129;

FIG. 132 is a partial perspective view of the staple cartridge of FIG.128 in an unspent configuration;

FIG. 133 is a partial perspective view of the staple cartridge of FIG.128 in a spent configuration;

FIG. 134 is a partial elevational view of a stapling instrumentincluding a cartridge channel, a staple cartridge positioned in thecartridge channel, and a firing member in accordance with at least oneembodiment illustrated with some components removed, wherein the firingmember is in an unfired position;

FIG. 135 is a partial elevational view of the stapling instrument ofFIG. 134 illustrating the firing member in a locked-out position;

FIG. 136 is a partial perspective view of a stapling instrumentincluding a cartridge channel, a staple cartridge positioned in thecartridge channel, a firing member, and a firing member lock inaccordance with at least one embodiment illustrated with some componentsremoved, wherein the firing member has been unlocked by the staplecartridge;

FIG. 137 is a partial elevational view of the stapling instrument ofFIG. 136 illustrated with an improper staple cartridge seated in thecartridge channel;

FIG. 138 is a partial cross-sectional plan view of the staplinginstrument of FIG. 136 illustrated with an improper staple cartridgeseated in the cartridge channel;

FIG. 139 is a partial cross-sectional plan view of the staplinginstrument of FIG. 136 illustrating the firing member lock unlocked bythe staple cartridge;

FIG. 140 is a partial cross-sectional view of a stapling instrument inaccordance with at least one embodiment that has been unlocked by astaple cartridge;

FIG. 141 is a partial cross-sectional view of a stapling instrument inaccordance with at least one embodiment that has been unlocked by astaple cartridge;

FIG. 142 is a partial perspective view of the staple cartridge of FIG.140;

FIG. 143 is a partial perspective view of the staple cartridge of FIG.141;

FIG. 144 is a partial cross-sectional perspective view of a staplecartridge pan in accordance with at least one embodiment;

FIG. 145 is a partial perspective view of a stapling instrumentincluding a cartridge channel, a staple cartridge positioned in thecartridge channel, a firing member, and a firing member lock inaccordance with at least one embodiment illustrated with some componentsremoved, wherein the firing member is unlocked by the staple cartridge;

FIG. 146 is a partial perspective view of the stapling instrument ofFIG. 145 illustrating a different staple cartridge positioned in thecartridge channel which does not unlock the firing member;

FIG. 147 is a partial perspective view of the stapling instrument ofFIG. 145 illustrating the firing member in a locked configuration;

FIG. 148 is a partial perspective view of a stapling instrumentconfigured to be unlocked by the different staple cartridge of FIG. 146;

FIG. 149 is a perspective view of a staple cartridge which is similar tothe staple cartridge of FIG. 146 and configured to unlock the staplinginstrument of FIG. 148;

FIG. 150 is a perspective view of a staple cartridge which is similar tothe staple cartridge of FIG. 145 and configured to unlock the staplinginstrument of FIG. 145;

FIG. 151 is a partial exploded view of a stapling instrument comprisinga cartridge channel, a staple cartridge positioned in the cartridgechannel, a firing member, an anvil, and a dual-purpose firingmember/anvil lock in accordance with at least one embodiment illustratedwith some components removed, wherein the stapling instrument isillustrated in a locked state;

FIG. 152 is a partial perspective view of the stapling instrument ofFIG. 151 being unlocked by the insertion of the staple cartridge intothe cartridge channel;

FIG. 153 is a partial cross-sectional view of the stapling instrument ofFIG. 151 illustrating the stapling instrument in the locked state ofFIG. 151;

FIG. 154 is a partial cross-sectional view of the stapling instrument ofFIG. 151 illustrating the stapling instrument in the unlocked state ofFIG. 152;

FIG. 155 is a perspective view of the firing member/anvil lock of FIG.151;

FIG. 155A is a partial perspective view of a staple cartridge inaccordance with at least one embodiment;

FIG. 155B is a partial perspective view of a staple cartridge inaccordance with at least one embodiment;

FIG. 155C is a partial perspective view of a staple cartridge inaccordance with at least one embodiment;

FIG. 155D is a partial perspective view of a staple cartridge inaccordance with at least one embodiment;

FIG. 155E is a partial perspective view of a staple cartridge inaccordance with at least one embodiment;

FIG. 156 is a partial cross-sectional view of a surgical staplingassembly comprising an anvil, a staple cartridge, a firing member, and afiring lockout;

FIG. 157 is a partial cross-sectional view of the firing member and thefiring lockout of FIG. 156 illustrated in an unlocked configuration;

FIG. 158 is a partial cross-sectional view of the firing member and thefiring lockout of FIG. 156 illustrated in a locked configuration;

FIG. 159 is a partial cross-sectional view of the surgical staplingassembly of FIG. 156, wherein the surgical stapling assembly furthercomprises an exterior access aperture configured to permit a user toartificially move the firing lockout into the unlocked configurationwith a separate lockout key;

FIG. 160 is a perspective view of a lockout member of the firing lockoutof FIG. 156;

FIG. 161 is a partial cross-sectional view of a surgical staplingassembly comprising a lockout and an exterior access orifice configuredto permit a user to artificially move the firing lockout into anunlocked configuration with a separate lockout key;

FIG. 162 is a bottom plan view of the surgical stapling assembly of FIG.161;

FIG. 163 is a partial cross-sectional view of a surgical staplingassembly comprising a firing member, a cartridge channel, a staplecartridge configured be installed into the cartridge channel, and alockout, wherein the lockout is illustrated in an unengagedconfiguration;

FIG. 164 is a partial cross-sectional view of the surgical staplingassembly of FIG. 163, wherein the lockout is illustrated in an engagedconfiguration;

FIG. 165 comprises elevational views of two staple cartridges eachcomprising a different lockout key;

FIG. 166 is a graph depicting knife lift timing provided by each lockoutkey of the staple cartridges of FIG. 165;

FIG. 167 is a graph depicting knife lift displacement provided by eachlockout key of the staple cartridges of FIG. 165;

FIG. 168 is a perspective view of a first staple cartridge for use witha surgical stapling system, wherein the first staple cartridge comprisesa cartridge body, a pan, a sled, and a first lockout key;

FIG. 169 is a perspective view of a second staple cartridge for use withthe surgical stapling system with which the first staple cartridge ofFIG. 168 is to be used, wherein the second staple cartridge comprises acartridge body, a pan, a sled, and a second lockout key;

FIG. 170 is an elevational view of a surgical stapling assemblycomprising a firing member, a first jaw comprising a staple cartridge, asecond jaw comprising an anvil movable relative to the first jaw, and alockout;

FIG. 171 is partial perspective view of the surgical stapling assemblyof FIG. 170;

FIG. 172 is a partial elevational view of the surgical stapling assemblyof FIG. 170 where the staple cartridge is not installed within the firstjaw;

FIG. 173 is a partial elevational view of the surgical stapling assemblyof FIG. 170 where the staple cartridge is installed within the firstjaw;

FIG. 174 is a partial cross-sectional view of the surgical staplingassembly of FIG. 170 where the staple cartridge is installed within thefirst jaw and the firing member is in an unfired position;

FIG. 175 is a partial cross-sectional view of the surgical staplingassembly of FIG. 170 where the staple cartridge is installed within thefirst jaw and the firing member is in a partially fired position;

FIG. 176 is a partial cross-sectional view of the surgical staplingassembly of FIG. 170 where the staple cartridge is not installed withinthe first jaw and the firing member is in the unfired position;

FIG. 177 is a partial cross-sectional view of the surgical staplingassembly of FIG. 170 where the staple cartridge is not installed withinthe first jaw and the firing member is in a locked position;

FIG. 178 is a partial elevational view of the surgical stapling assemblyof FIG. 170 where the staple cartridge is installed within the first jawand the firing member is in the partially fired position, wherein somecomponents are illustrated with hidden lines;

FIG. 179 is a perspective view of the staple cartridge of the surgicalstapling assembly of FIG. 170 comprising a lockout key extending from aproximal end thereof;

FIG. 180 is a partial plan view of the staple cartridge of FIG. 179; and

FIG. 181 is a partial plan view of a second staple cartridge configuredfor use with a system including the staple cartridge of FIG. 179,wherein the second staple cartridge comprises a lockout key comprising adifferent configuration than the lockout key of the staple cartridge ofFIG. 179.

Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding partsthroughout the several views. The exemplifications set out hereinillustrate various embodiments of the invention, in one form, and suchexemplifications are not to be construed as limiting the scope of theinvention in any manner.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Applicant of the present application owns the following U.S. patentapplications that were filed on even date herewith and which are eachherein incorporated by reference in their respective entireties:

U.S. patent application entitled METHODS FOR CONTROLLING A POWEREDSURGICAL STAPLER THAT HAS SEPARATE ROTARY CLOSURE AND FIRING SYSTEMS,Attorney Docket No. END9020USNP1/180504-1M;

U.S. patent application entitled SURGICAL STAPLERS WITH ARRANGEMENTS FORMAINTAINING A FIRING MEMBER THEREOF IN A LOCKED CONFIGURATION UNLESS ACOMPATIBLE CARTRIDGE HAS BEEN INSTALLED THEREIN, Attorney Docket No.END9021USNP2/180505-2;

U.S. patent application entitled SURGICAL INSTRUMENT COMPRISINGCOOPERATING LOCKOUT FEATURES, Attorney Docket No. END9021USNP3/180505-3;

U.S. patent application entitled SURGICAL STAPLING ASSEMBLY COMPRISING ALOCKOUT AND AN EXTERIOR ACCESS ORIFICE TO PERMIT ARTIFICIAL UNLOCKING OFTHE LOCKOUT, Attorney Docket No. END9021USNP4/180505-4;

U.S. patent application entitled SURGICAL STAPLING DEVICES WITH FEATURESFOR BLOCKING ADVANCEMENT OF A CAMMING ASSEMBLY OF AN INCOMPATIBLECARTRIDGE INSTALLED THEREIN, Attorney Docket No. END9021USNP5/180505-5;

U.S. patent application entitled STAPLING INSTRUMENT COMPRISING ADEACTIVATABLE LOCKOUT, Attorney Docket No. END9021USNP6/18505-6;

U.S. patent application entitled SURGICAL INSTRUMENT COMPRISING A JAWCLOSURE LOCKOUT, Attorney Docket No. END9021USNP7/180505-7;

U.S. patent application entitled SURGICAL STAPLING DEVICES WITHCARTRIDGE COMPATIBLE CLOSURE AND FIRING LOCKOUT ARRANGEMENTS, AttorneyDocket No. END9021USNP8/180505-8;

U.S. patent application entitled SURGICAL STAPLE CARTRIDGE WITH FIRINGMEMBER DRIVEN CAMMING ASSEMBLY THAT HAS AN ONBOARD TISSUE CUTTINGFEATURE, Attorney Docket No. END9022USNP1/180508-1;

U.S. patent application entitled SURGICAL STAPLING DEVICES WITH IMPROVEDROTARY DRIVEN CLOSURE SYSTEMS, Attorney Docket No.END9022USNP2/180508-2;

U.S. patent application entitled SURGICAL STAPLING DEVICES WITHASYMMETRIC CLOSURE FEATURES, Attorney Docket No. END9022USNP3/180508-3;

U.S. patent application entitled ROTARY DRIVEN FIRING MEMBERS WITHDIFFERENT ANVIL AND CHANNEL ENGAGEMENT FEATURES, Attorney Docket No.END9022USNP4/180508-4; and

U.S. patent application entitled SURGICAL STAPLING DEVICE WITH SEPARATEROTARY DRIVEN CLOSURE AND FIRING SYSTEMS AND FIRING MEMBER THAT ENGAGESBOTH JAWS WHILE FIRING, Attorney Docket No. END9022USNP5/180508-5.

Applicant of the present application owns the following U.S. Provisionalpatent applications that were filed on Feb. 19, 2019 and which are eachherein incorporated by reference in their respective entireties:

U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/807,310, entitledMETHODS FOR CONTROLLING A POWERED SURGICAL STAPLER THAT HAS SEPARATEROTARY CLOSURE AND FIRING SYSTEMS;

U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/807,319, entitledSURGICAL STAPLING DEVICES WITH IMPROVED LOCKOUT SYSTEMS; and

U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/807,309, entitledSURGICAL STAPLING DEVICES WITH IMPROVED ROTARY DRIVEN CLOSURE SYSTEMS.

Applicant of the present application owns the following U.S. Provisionalpatent applications, filed on Mar. 28, 2018, each of which is hereinincorporated by reference in its entirety:

U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/649,302, entitledINTERACTIVE SURGICAL SYSTEMS WITH ENCRYPTED COMMUNICATION CAPABILITIES;

U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/649,294, entitled DATASTRIPPING METHOD TO INTERROGATE PATIENT RECORDS AND CREATE ANONYMIZEDRECORD;

U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/649,300, entitledSURGICAL HUB SITUATIONAL AWARENESS;

U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/649,309, entitledSURGICAL HUB SPATIAL AWARENESS TO DETERMINE DEVICES IN OPERATINGTHEATER;

U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/649,310, entitledCOMPUTER IMPLEMENTED INTERACTIVE SURGICAL SYSTEMS;

U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/649,291, entitled USE OFLASER LIGHT AND RED-GREEN-BLUE COLORATION TO DETERMINE PROPERTIES OFBACK SCATTERED LIGHT;

U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/649,296, entitledADAPTIVE CONTROL PROGRAM UPDATES FOR SURGICAL DEVICES;

U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/649,333, entitledCLOUD-BASED MEDICAL ANALYTICS FOR CUSTOMIZATION AND RECOMMENDATIONS TO AUSER;

U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/649,327, entitledCLOUD-BASED MEDICAL ANALYTICS FOR SECURITY AND AUTHENTICATION TRENDS ANDREACTIVE MEASURES;

U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/649,315, entitled DATAHANDLING AND PRIORITIZATION IN A CLOUD ANALYTICS NETWORK;

U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/649,313, entitled CLOUDINTERFACE FOR COUPLED SURGICAL DEVICES;

U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/649,320, entitled DRIVEARRANGEMENTS FOR ROBOT-ASSISTED SURGICAL PLATFORMS;

U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/649,307, entitledAUTOMATIC TOOL ADJUSTMENTS FOR ROBOT-ASSISTED SURGICAL PLATFORMS; and

U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/649,323, entitledSENSING ARRANGEMENTS FOR ROBOT-ASSISTED SURGICAL PLATFORMS.

Applicant of the present application owns the following U.S. Provisionalpatent application, filed on Mar. 30, 2018, which is herein incorporatedby reference in its entirety:

U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/650,887, entitledSURGICAL SYSTEMS WITH OPTIMIZED SENSING CAPABILITIES.

Applicant of the present application owns the following U.S. patentapplication, filed on Dec. 4, 2018, which is herein incorporated byreference in its entirety:

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/209,423, entitled METHOD OFCOMPRESSING TISSUE WITHIN A STAPLING DEVICE AND SIMULTANEOUSLYDISPLAYING THE LOCATION OF THE TISSUE WITHIN THE JAWS.

Applicant of the present application owns the following U.S. patentapplications that were filed on Aug. 20, 2018 and which are each hereinincorporated by reference in their respective entireties:

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/105,101, entitled METHOD FORFABRICATING SURGICAL STAPLER ANVILS;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/105,183, entitled REINFORCEDDEFORMABLE ANVIL TIP FOR SURGICAL STAPLER ANVIL;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/105,150, entitled SURGICAL STAPLERANVILS WITH STAPLE DIRECTING PROTRUSIONS AND TISSUE STABILITY FEATURES;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/105,098, entitled FABRICATINGTECHNIQUES FOR SURGICAL STAPLER ANVILS;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/105,140, entitled SURGICAL STAPLERANVILS WITH TISSUE STOP FEATURES CONFIGURED TO AVOID TISSUE PINCH;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/105,081, entitled METHOD FOROPERATING A POWERED ARTICULATABLE SURGICAL INSTRUMENT;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/105,094, entitled SURGICALINSTRUMENTS WITH PROGRESSIVE JAW CLOSURE ARRANGEMENTS;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/105,097, entitled POWERED SURGICALINSTRUMENTS WITH CLUTCHING ARRANGEMENTS TO CONVERT LINEAR DRIVE MOTIONSTO ROTARY DRIVE MOTIONS;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/105,104, entitled POWEREDARTICULATABLE SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH CLUTCHING AND LOCKINGARRANGEMENTS FOR LINKING AN ARTICULATION DRIVE SYSTEM TO A FIRING DRIVESYSTEM;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/105,119, entitled ARTICULATABLEMOTOR POWERED SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH DEDICATED ARTICULATION MOTORARRANGEMENTS;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/105,160, entitled SWITCHINGARRANGEMENTS FOR MOTOR POWERED ARTICULATABLE SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS; and

U.S. Design patent application Ser. No. 29/660,252, entitled SURGICALSTAPLER ANVILS.

Applicant of the present application owns the following U.S. patentapplications and U.S. patents that are each herein incorporated byreference in their respective entireties:

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/386,185, entitled SURGICAL STAPLINGINSTRUMENTS AND REPLACEABLE TOOL ASSEMBLIES THEREOF, now U.S. PatentApplication Publication No. 2018/0168642;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/386,230, entitled ARTICULATABLESURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENTS, now U.S. Patent Application PublicationNo. 2018/0168649;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/386,221, entitled LOCKOUTARRANGEMENTS FOR SURGICAL END EFFECTORS, now U.S. Patent ApplicationPublication No. 2018/0168646;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/386,209, entitled SURGICAL ENDEFFECTORS AND FIRING MEMBERS THEREOF, now U.S. Patent ApplicationPublication No. 2018/0168645;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/386,198, entitled LOCKOUTARRANGEMENTS FOR SURGICAL END EFFECTORS AND REPLACEABLE TOOL ASSEMBLIES,now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2018/0168644;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/386,240, entitled SURGICAL ENDEFFECTORS AND ADAPTABLE FIRING MEMBERS THEREFOR, now U.S. PatentApplication Publication No. 2018/0168651;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,939, entitled STAPLE CARTRIDGESAND ARRANGEMENTS OF STAPLES AND STAPLE CAVITIES THEREIN, now U.S. PatentApplication Publication No. 2018/0168629;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,941, entitled SURGICAL TOOLASSEMBLIES WITH CLUTCHING ARRANGEMENTS FOR SHIFTING BETWEEN CLOSURESYSTEMS WITH CLOSURE STROKE REDUCTION FEATURES AND ARTICULATION ANDFIRING SYSTEMS, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No.2018/0168630;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,943, entitled SURGICAL STAPLINGINSTRUMENTS AND STAPLE-FORMING ANVILS, now U.S. Patent ApplicationPublication No. 2018/0168631;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,950, entitled SURGICAL TOOLASSEMBLIES WITH CLOSURE STROKE REDUCTION FEATURES, now U.S. PatentApplication Publication No. 2018/0168635;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,945, entitled STAPLE CARTRIDGESAND ARRANGEMENTS OF STAPLES AND STAPLE CAVITIES THEREIN, now U.S. PatentApplication Publication No. 2018/0168632;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,946, entitled SURGICAL STAPLINGINSTRUMENTS AND STAPLE-FORMING ANVILS, now U.S. Patent ApplicationPublication No. 2018/0168633;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,951, entitled SURGICALINSTRUMENTS WITH JAW OPENING FEATURES FOR INCREASING A JAW OPENINGDISTANCE, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2018/0168636;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,953, entitled METHODS OFSTAPLING TISSUE, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No.2018/0168637;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,954, entitled FIRING MEMBERSWITH NON-PARALLEL JAW ENGAGEMENT FEATURES FOR SURGICAL END EFFECTORS,now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2018/0168638;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,955, entitled SURGICAL ENDEFFECTORS WITH EXPANDABLE TISSUE STOP ARRANGEMENTS, now U.S. PatentApplication Publication No. 2018/0168639;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,948, entitled SURGICAL STAPLINGINSTRUMENTS AND STAPLE-FORMING ANVILS, now U.S. Patent ApplicationPublication No. 2018/0168584;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,956, entitled SURGICALINSTRUMENTS WITH POSITIVE JAW OPENING FEATURES, now U.S. PatentApplication Publication No. 2018/0168640;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,958, entitled SURGICALINSTRUMENTS WITH LOCKOUT ARRANGEMENTS FOR PREVENTING FIRING SYSTEMACTUATION UNLESS AN UNSPENT STAPLE CARTRIDGE IS PRESENT, now U.S. PatentApplication Publication No. 2018/0168641;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,947, entitled STAPLE CARTRIDGESAND ARRANGEMENTS OF STAPLES AND STAPLE CAVITIES THEREIN, now U.S. PatentApplication Publication No. 2018/0168634;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,896, entitled METHOD FORRESETTING A FUSE OF A SURGICAL INSTRUMENT SHAFT, now U.S. PatentApplication Publication No. 2018/0168597;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,898, entitled STAPLE-FORMINGPOCKET ARRANGEMENT TO ACCOMMODATE DIFFERENT TYPES OF STAPLES, now U.S.Patent Application Publication No. 2018/0168599;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,899, entitled SURGICALINSTRUMENT COMPRISING IMPROVED JAW CONTROL, now U.S. Patent ApplicationPublication No. 2018/0168600;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,901, entitled STAPLE CARTRIDGEAND STAPLE CARTRIDGE CHANNEL COMPRISING WINDOWS DEFINED THEREIN, nowU.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2018/0168602;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,902, entitled SURGICALINSTRUMENT COMPRISING A CUTTING MEMBER, now U.S. Patent ApplicationPublication No. 2018/0168603;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,904, entitled STAPLE FIRINGMEMBER COMPRISING A MISSING CARTRIDGE AND/OR SPENT CARTRIDGE LOCKOUT,now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2018/0168605;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,905, entitled FIRING ASSEMBLYCOMPRISING A LOCKOUT, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No.2018/0168606;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,907, entitled SURGICALINSTRUMENT SYSTEM COMPRISING AN END EFFECTOR LOCKOUT AND A FIRINGASSEMBLY LOCKOUT, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No.2018/0168608;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,908, entitled FIRING ASSEMBLYCOMPRISING A FUSE, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No.2018/0168609;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,909, entitled FIRING ASSEMBLYCOMPRISING A MULTIPLE FAILED-STATE FUSE, now U.S. Patent ApplicationPublication No. 2018/0168610;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,920, entitled STAPLE-FORMINGPOCKET ARRANGEMENTS, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No.2018/0168620;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,913, entitled ANVIL ARRANGEMENTSFOR SURGICAL STAPLERS, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No.2018/0168614;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,914, entitled METHOD OFDEFORMING STAPLES FROM TWO DIFFERENT TYPES OF STAPLE CARTRIDGES WITH THESAME SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENT, now U.S. Patent ApplicationPublication No. 2018/0168615;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,893, entitled BILATERALLYASYMMETRIC STAPLE-FORMING POCKET PAIRS, now U.S. Patent ApplicationPublication No. 2018/0168594;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,929, entitled CLOSURE MEMBERSWITH CAM SURFACE ARRANGEMENTS FOR SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH SEPARATE ANDDISTINCT CLOSURE AND FIRING SYSTEMS, now U.S. Patent ApplicationPublication No. 2018/0168626;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,911, entitled SURGICAL STAPLERSWITH INDEPENDENTLY ACTUATABLE CLOSING AND FIRING SYSTEMS, now U.S.Patent Application Publication No. 2018/0168612;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,927, entitled SURGICAL STAPLINGINSTRUMENTS WITH SMART STAPLE CARTRIDGES, now U.S. Patent ApplicationPublication No. 2018/0168625;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,917, entitled STAPLE CARTRIDGECOMPRISING STAPLES WITH DIFFERENT CLAMPING BREADTHS, now U.S. PatentApplication Publication No. 2018/0168617;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,900, entitled STAPLE-FORMINGPOCKET ARRANGEMENTS COMPRISING PRIMARY SIDEWALLS AND POCKET SIDEWALLS,now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2018/0168601;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,931, entitled NO-CARTRIDGE ANDSPENT CARTRIDGE LOCKOUT ARRANGEMENTS FOR SURGICAL STAPLERS, now U.S.Patent Application Publication No. 2018/0168627;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,915, entitled FIRING MEMBER PINANGLE, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2018/0168616;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,897, entitled STAPLE-FORMINGPOCKET ARRANGEMENTS COMPRISING ZONED FORMING SURFACE GROOVES, now U.S.Patent Application Publication No. 2018/0168598;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,922, entitled SURGICALINSTRUMENT WITH MULTIPLE FAILURE RESPONSE MODES, now U.S. PatentApplication Publication No. 2018/0168622;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,924, entitled SURGICALINSTRUMENT WITH PRIMARY AND SAFETY PROCESSORS, now U.S. PatentApplication Publication No. 2018/0168624;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,910, entitled ANVIL HAVING AKNIFE SLOT WIDTH, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No.2018/0168611;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,903, entitled CLOSURE MEMBERARRANGEMENTS FOR SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS, now U.S. Patent ApplicationPublication No. 2018/0168604;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,906, entitled FIRING MEMBER PINCONFIGURATIONS, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No.2018/0168607;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/386,188, entitled STEPPED STAPLECARTRIDGE WITH ASYMMETRICAL STAPLES, now U.S. Patent ApplicationPublication No. 2018/0168585;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/386,192, entitled STEPPED STAPLECARTRIDGE WITH TISSUE RETENTION AND GAP SETTING FEATURES, now U.S.Patent Application Publication No. 2018/0168643;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/386,206, entitled STAPLE CARTRIDGEWITH DEFORMABLE DRIVER RETENTION FEATURES, now U.S. Patent ApplicationPublication No. 2018/0168586;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/386,226, entitled DURABILITYFEATURES FOR END EFFECTORS AND FIRING ASSEMBLIES OF SURGICAL STAPLINGINSTRUMENTS, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2018/0168648;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/386,222, entitled SURGICAL STAPLINGINSTRUMENTS HAVING END EFFECTORS WITH POSITIVE OPENING FEATURES, nowU.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2018/0168647;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/386,236, entitled CONNECTIONPORTIONS FOR DEPOSABLE LOADING UNITS FOR SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENTS,now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2018/0168650;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,887, entitled METHOD FORATTACHING A SHAFT ASSEMBLY TO A SURGICAL INSTRUMENT AND, ALTERNATIVELY,TO A SURGICAL ROBOT, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No.2018/0168589;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,889, entitled SHAFT ASSEMBLYCOMPRISING A MANUALLY-OPERABLE RETRACTION SYSTEM FOR USE WITH AMOTORIZED SURGICAL INSTRUMENT SYSTEM, now U.S. Patent ApplicationPublication No. 2018/0168590;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,890, entitled SHAFT ASSEMBLYCOMPRISING SEPARATELY ACTUATABLE AND RETRACTABLE SYSTEMS, now U.S.Patent Application Publication No. 2018/0168591;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,891, entitled SHAFT ASSEMBLYCOMPRISING A CLUTCH CONFIGURED TO ADAPT THE OUTPUT OF A ROTARY FIRINGMEMBER TO TWO DIFFERENT SYSTEMS, now U.S. Patent Application PublicationNo. 2018/0168592;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,892, entitled SURGICAL SYSTEMCOMPRISING A FIRING MEMBER ROTATABLE INTO AN ARTICULATION STATE TOARTICULATE AN END EFFECTOR OF THE SURGICAL SYSTEM, now U.S. PatentApplication Publication No. 2018/0168593;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,894, entitled SHAFT ASSEMBLYCOMPRISING A LOCKOUT, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No.2018/0168595;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,895, entitled SHAFT ASSEMBLYCOMPRISING FIRST AND SECOND ARTICULATION LOCKOUTS, now U.S. PatentApplication Publication No. 2018/0168596;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,916, entitled SURGICAL STAPLINGSYSTEMS, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2018/0168575;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,918, entitled SURGICAL STAPLINGSYSTEMS, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2018/0168618;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,919, entitled SURGICAL STAPLINGSYSTEMS, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2018/0168619;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,921, entitled SURGICAL STAPLECARTRIDGE WITH MOVABLE CAMMING MEMBER CONFIGURED TO DISENGAGE FIRINGMEMBER LOCKOUT FEATURES, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No.2018/0168621;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,923, entitled SURGICAL STAPLINGSYSTEMS, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2018/0168623;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,925, entitled JAW ACTUATED LOCKARRANGEMENTS FOR PREVENTING ADVANCEMENT OF A FIRING MEMBER IN A SURGICALEND EFFECTOR UNLESS AN UNFIRED CARTRIDGE IS INSTALLED IN THE ENDEFFECTOR, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2018/0168576;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,926, entitled AXIALLY MOVABLECLOSURE SYSTEM ARRANGEMENTS FOR APPLYING CLOSURE MOTIONS TO JAWS OFSURGICAL INSTRUMENTS, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No.2018/0168577;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,928, entitled PROTECTIVE COVERARRANGEMENTS FOR A JOINT INTERFACE BETWEEN A MOVABLE JAW AND ACTUATORSHAFT OF A SURGICAL INSTRUMENT, now U.S. Patent Application PublicationNo. 2018/0168578;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,930, entitled SURGICAL ENDEFFECTOR WITH TWO SEPARATE COOPERATING OPENING FEATURES FOR OPENING ANDCLOSING END EFFECTOR JAWS, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No.2018/0168579;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,932, entitled ARTICULATABLESURGICAL END EFFECTOR WITH ASYMMETRIC SHAFT ARRANGEMENT, now U.S. PatentApplication Publication No. 2018/0168628;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,933, entitled ARTICULATABLESURGICAL INSTRUMENT WITH INDEPENDENT PIVOTABLE LINKAGE DISTAL OF ANARTICULATION LOCK, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No.2018/0168580;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,934, entitled ARTICULATION LOCKARRANGEMENTS FOR LOCKING AN END EFFECTOR IN AN ARTICULATED POSITION INRESPONSE TO ACTUATION OF A JAW CLOSURE SYSTEM, now U.S. PatentApplication Publication No. 2018/0168581;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,935, entitled LATERALLYACTUATABLE ARTICULATION LOCK ARRANGEMENTS FOR LOCKING AN END EFFECTOR OFA SURGICAL INSTRUMENT IN AN ARTICULATED CONFIGURATION, now U.S. PatentApplication Publication No. 2018/0168582;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,936, entitled ARTICULATABLESURGICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH ARTICULATION STROKE AMPLIFICATION FEATURES,now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2018/0168583;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/318,996, entitled FASTENERCARTRIDGES INCLUDING EXTENSIONS HAVING DIFFERENT CONFIGURATIONS, nowU.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2015/0297228;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/319,006, entitled FASTENER CARTRIDGECOMPRISING FASTENER CAVITIES INCLUDING FASTENER CONTROL FEATURES, nowU.S. Pat. No. 10,010,324;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/318,991, entitled SURGICAL FASTENERCARTRIDGES WITH DRIVER STABILIZING ARRANGEMENTS, now U.S. Pat. No.9,833,241;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/319,004, entitled SURGICAL ENDEFFECTORS WITH FIRING ELEMENT MONITORING ARRANGEMENTS, now U.S. Pat. No.9,844,369;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/319,008, entitled FASTENER CARTRIDGECOMPRISING NON-UNIFORM FASTENERS, now U.S. Patent ApplicationPublication No. 2015/0297232;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/318,997, entitled FASTENER CARTRIDGECOMPRISING DEPLOYABLE TISSUE ENGAGING MEMBERS, now U.S. PatentApplication Publication No. 2015/0297229;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/319,002, entitled FASTENER CARTRIDGECOMPRISING TISSUE CONTROL FEATURES, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,877,721;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/319,013, entitled FASTENER CARTRIDGEASSEMBLIES AND STAPLE RETAINER COVER ARRANGEMENTS, now U.S. PatentApplication Publication No. 2015/0297233; and

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/319,016, entitled FASTENER CARTRIDGEINCLUDING A LAYER ATTACHED THERETO, now U.S. Patent ApplicationPublication No. 2015/0297235.

Applicant of the present application owns the following U.S. patentapplications that were filed on Jun. 24, 2016 and which are each hereinincorporated by reference in their respective entireties:

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/191,775, entitled STAPLE CARTRIDGECOMPRISING WIRE STAPLES AND STAMPED STAPLES, now U.S. Patent ApplicationPublication No. 2017/0367695;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/191,807, entitled STAPLING SYSTEMFOR USE WITH WIRE STAPLES AND STAMPED STAPLES, now U.S. PatentApplication Publication No. 2017/0367696;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/191,834, entitled STAMPED STAPLESAND STAPLE CARTRIDGES USING THE SAME, now U.S. Patent ApplicationPublication No. 2017/0367699;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/191,788, entitled STAPLE CARTRIDGECOMPRISING OVERDRIVEN STAPLES, now U.S. Patent Application PublicationNo. 2017/0367698; and

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/191,818, entitled STAPLE CARTRIDGECOMPRISING OFFSET LONGITUDINAL STAPLE ROWS, now U.S. Patent ApplicationPublication No. 2017/0367697.

Applicant of the present application owns the following U.S. patentapplications that were filed on Jun. 24, 2016 and which are each hereinincorporated by reference in their respective entireties:

U.S. Design patent application Serial No. 29/569,218, entitled SURGICALFASTENER, now U.S. Design Pat. No. D826,405;

U.S. Design patent application Ser. No. 29/569,227, entitled SURGICALFASTENER, now U.S. Design Pat. No. D822,206;

U.S. Design patent application Ser. No. 29/569,259, entitled SURGICALFASTENER CARTRIDGE; and

U.S. Design patent application Ser. No. 29/569,264, entitled SURGICALFASTENER CARTRIDGE.

Applicant of the present application owns the following patentapplications that were filed on Apr. 1, 2016 and which are each hereinincorporated by reference in their respective entirety:

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/089,325, entitled METHOD FOROPERATING A SURGICAL STAPLING SYSTEM, now U.S. Patent ApplicationPublication No. 2017/0281171;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/089,321, entitled MODULAR SURGICALSTAPLING SYSTEM COMPRISING A DISPLAY, now U.S. Patent ApplicationPublication No. 2017/0281163;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/089,326, entitled SURGICAL STAPLINGSYSTEM COMPRISING A DISPLAY INCLUDING A RE-ORIENTABLE DISPLAY FIELD, nowU.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2017/0281172;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/089,263, entitled SURGICALINSTRUMENT HANDLE ASSEMBLY WITH RECONFIGURABLE GRIP PORTION, now U.S.Patent Application Publication No. 2017/0281165;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/089,262, entitled ROTARY POWEREDSURGICAL INSTRUMENT WITH MANUALLY ACTUATABLE BAILOUT SYSTEM, now U.S.Patent Application Publication No. 2017/0281161;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/089,277, entitled SURGICAL CUTTINGAND STAPLING END EFFECTOR WITH ANVIL CONCENTRIC DRIVE MEMBER, now U.S.Patent Application Publication No. 2017/0281166;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/089,296, entitled INTERCHANGEABLESURGICAL TOOL ASSEMBLY WITH A SURGICAL END EFFECTOR THAT IS SELECTIVELYROTATABLE ABOUT A SHAFT AXIS, now U.S. Patent Application PublicationNo. 2017/0281168;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/089,258, entitled SURGICAL STAPLINGSYSTEM COMPRISING A SHIFTABLE TRANSMISSION, now U.S. Patent ApplicationPublication No. 2017/0281178;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/089,278, entitled SURGICAL STAPLINGSYSTEM CONFIGURED TO PROVIDE SELECTIVE CUTTING OF TISSUE, now U.S.Patent Application Publication No. 2017/0281162;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/089,284, entitled SURGICAL STAPLINGSYSTEM COMPRISING A CONTOURABLE SHAFT, now U.S. Patent ApplicationPublication No. 2017/0281186;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/089,295, entitled SURGICAL STAPLINGSYSTEM COMPRISING A TISSUE COMPRESSION LOCKOUT, now U.S. PatentApplication Publication No. 2017/0281187;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/089,300, entitled SURGICAL STAPLINGSYSTEM COMPRISING AN UNCLAMPING LOCKOUT, now U.S. Patent ApplicationPublication No. 2017/0281179;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/089,196, entitled SURGICAL STAPLINGSYSTEM COMPRISING A JAW CLOSURE LOCKOUT, now U.S. Patent ApplicationPublication No. 2017/0281183;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/089,203, entitled SURGICAL STAPLINGSYSTEM COMPRISING A JAW ATTACHMENT LOCKOUT, now U.S. Patent ApplicationPublication No. 2017/0281184;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/089,210, entitled SURGICAL STAPLINGSYSTEM COMPRISING A SPENT CARTRIDGE LOCKOUT, now U.S. Patent ApplicationPublication No. 2017/0281185;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/089,324, entitled SURGICALINSTRUMENT COMPRISING A SHIFTING MECHANISM, now U.S. Patent ApplicationPublication No. 2017/0281170;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/089,335, entitled SURGICAL STAPLINGINSTRUMENT COMPRISING MULTIPLE LOCKOUTS, now U.S. Patent ApplicationPublication No. 2017/0281155;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/089,339, entitled SURGICAL STAPLINGINSTRUMENT, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2017/0281173;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/089,253, entitled SURGICAL STAPLINGSYSTEM CONFIGURED TO APPLY ANNULAR ROWS OF STAPLES HAVING DIFFERENTHEIGHTS, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2017/0281177;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/089,304, entitled SURGICAL STAPLINGSYSTEM COMPRISING A GROOVED FORMING POCKET, now U.S. Patent ApplicationPublication No. 2017/0281188;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/089,331, entitled ANVIL MODIFICATIONMEMBERS FOR SURGICAL STAPLERS, now U.S. Patent Application PublicationNo. 2017/0281180;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/089,336, entitled STAPLE CARTRIDGESWITH ATRAUMATIC FEATURES, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No.2017/0281164;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/089,312, entitled CIRCULAR STAPLINGSYSTEM COMPRISING AN INCISABLE TISSUE SUPPORT, now U.S. PatentApplication Publication No. 2017/0281189;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/089,309, entitled CIRCULAR STAPLINGSYSTEM COMPRISING ROTARY FIRING SYSTEM, now U.S. Patent ApplicationPublication No. 2017/0281169; and

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/089,349, entitled CIRCULAR STAPLINGSYSTEM COMPRISING LOAD CONTROL, now U.S. Patent Application PublicationNo. 2017/0281174.

Applicant of the present application also owns the U.S. patentapplications identified below which were filed on Dec. 31, 2015 whichare each herein incorporated by reference in their respective entirety:

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/984,488, entitled MECHANISMS FORCOMPENSATING FOR BATTERY PACK FAILURE IN POWERED SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS,now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2017/0189018;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/984,525, entitled MECHANISMS FORCOMPENSATING FOR DRIVETRAIN FAILURE IN POWERED SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS, nowU.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2017/0189019; and

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/984,552, entitled SURGICALINSTRUMENTS WITH SEPARABLE MOTORS AND MOTOR CONTROL CIRCUITS, now U.S.Patent Application Publication No. 2017/0189020.

Applicant of the present application also owns the U.S. patentapplications identified below which were filed on Feb. 9, 2016 which areeach herein incorporated by reference in their respective entirety:

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/019,220, entitled SURGICALINSTRUMENT WITH ARTICULATING AND AXIALLY TRANSLATABLE END EFFECTOR, nowU.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2017/0224333;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/019,228, entitled SURGICALINSTRUMENTS WITH MULTIPLE LINK ARTICULATION ARRANGEMENTS, now U.S.Patent Application Publication No. 2017/0224342;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/019,196, entitled SURGICALINSTRUMENT ARTICULATION MECHANISM WITH SLOTTED SECONDARY CONSTRAINT, nowU.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2017/0224330;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/019,206, entitled SURGICALINSTRUMENTS WITH AN END EFFECTOR THAT IS HIGHLY ARTICULATABLE RELATIVETO AN ELONGATE SHAFT ASSEMBLY, now U.S. Patent Application PublicationNo. 2017/0224331;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/019,215, entitled SURGICALINSTRUMENTS WITH NON-SYMMETRICAL ARTICULATION ARRANGEMENTS, now U.S.Patent Application Publication No. 2017/0224332;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/019,227, entitled ARTICULATABLESURGICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH SINGLE ARTICULATION LINK ARRANGEMENTS, nowU.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2017/0224334;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/019,235, entitled SURGICALINSTRUMENTS WITH TENSIONING ARRANGEMENTS FOR CABLE DRIVEN ARTICULATIONSYSTEMS, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2017/0224336;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/019,230, entitled ARTICULATABLESURGICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH OFF-AXIS FIRING BEAM ARRANGEMENTS, now U.S.Patent Application Publication No. 2017/0224335; and

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/019,245, entitled SURGICALINSTRUMENTS WITH CLOSURE STROKE REDUCTION ARRANGEMENTS, now U.S. PatentApplication Publication No. 2017/0224343.

Applicant of the present application also owns the U.S. patentapplications identified below which were filed on Feb. 12, 2016 whichare each herein incorporated by reference in their respective entirety:

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/043,254, entitled MECHANISMS FORCOMPENSATING FOR DRIVETRAIN FAILURE IN POWERED SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS, nowU.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2017/0231623;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/043,259, entitled MECHANISMS FORCOMPENSATING FOR DRIVETRAIN FAILURE IN POWERED SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS, nowU.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2017/0231626;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/043,275, entitled MECHANISMS FORCOMPENSATING FOR DRIVETRAIN FAILURE IN POWERED SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS, nowU.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2017/0231627; and

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/043,289, entitled MECHANISMS FORCOMPENSATING FOR DRIVETRAIN FAILURE IN POWERED SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS, nowU.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2017/0231628.

Applicant of the present application owns the following patentapplications that were filed on Jun. 18, 2015 and which are each hereinincorporated by reference in their respective entirety:

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/742,925, entitled SURGICAL ENDEFFECTORS WITH POSITIVE JAW OPENING ARRANGEMENTS, now U.S. PatentApplication Publication No. 2016/0367256;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/742,941, entitled SURGICAL ENDEFFECTORS WITH DUAL CAM ACTUATED JAW CLOSING FEATURES, now U.S. Pat. No.10,052,102;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/742,914, entitled MOVABLE FIRINGBEAM SUPPORT ARRANGEMENTS FOR ARTICULATABLE SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS, nowU.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2016/0367255;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/742,900, entitled ARTICULATABLESURGICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH COMPOSITE FIRING BEAM STRUCTURES WITH CENTERFIRING SUPPORT MEMBER FOR ARTICULATION SUPPORT, now U.S. PatentApplication Publication No. 2016/0367254;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/742,885, entitled DUAL ARTICULATIONDRIVE SYSTEM ARRANGEMENTS FOR ARTICULATABLE SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS, nowU.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2016/0367246; and

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/742,876, entitled PUSH/PULLARTICULATION DRIVE SYSTEMS FOR ARTICULATABLE SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS, nowU.S. Pat. No. 10,178,992.

Applicant of the present application owns the following patentapplications that were filed on Mar. 6, 2015 and which are each hereinincorporated by reference in their respective entirety:

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/640,746, entitled POWERED SURGICALINSTRUMENT, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,808,246;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/640,795, entitled MULTIPLE LEVELTHRESHOLDS TO MODIFY OPERATION OF POWERED SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS, now U.S.Patent Application Publication No. 2016/02561185;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/640,832, entitled ADAPTIVE TISSUECOMPRESSION TECHNIQUES TO ADJUST CLOSURE RATES FOR MULTIPLE TISSUETYPES, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2016/0256154;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/640,935, entitled OVERLAID MULTISENSOR RADIO FREQUENCY (RF) ELECTRODE SYSTEM TO MEASURE TISSUECOMPRESSION, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2016/0256071;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/640,831, entitled MONITORING SPEEDCONTROL AND PRECISION INCREMENTING OF MOTOR FOR POWERED SURGICALINSTRUMENTS, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,895,148;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/640,859, entitled TIME DEPENDENTEVALUATION OF SENSOR DATA TO DETERMINE STABILITY, CREEP, ANDVISCOELASTIC ELEMENTS OF MEASURES, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,052,044;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/640,817, entitled INTERACTIVEFEEDBACK SYSTEM FOR POWERED SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS, now U.S. Pat. No.9,924,961;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/640,844, entitled CONTROL TECHNIQUESAND SUB-PROCESSOR CONTAINED WITHIN MODULAR SHAFT WITH SELECT CONTROLPROCESSING FROM HANDLE, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,045,776;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/640,837, entitled SMART SENSORS WITHLOCAL SIGNAL PROCESSING, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,993,248;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/640,765, entitled SYSTEM FORDETECTING THE MIS-INSERTION OF A STAPLE CARTRIDGE INTO A SURGICALSTAPLER, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2016/0256160;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/640,799, entitled SIGNAL AND POWERCOMMUNICATION SYSTEM POSITIONED ON A ROTATABLE SHAFT, now U.S. Pat. No.9,901,342; and

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/640,780, entitled SURGICALINSTRUMENT COMPRISING A LOCKABLE BATTERY HOUSING, now U.S. PatentApplication Publication No. 2016/0256161.

Applicant of the present application owns the following patentapplications that were filed on Feb. 27, 2015, and which are each hereinincorporated by reference in their respective entirety:

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/633,576, entitled SURGICALINSTRUMENT SYSTEM COMPRISING AN INSPECTION STATION, now U.S. Pat. No.10,045,779;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/633,546, entitled SURGICAL APPARATUSCONFIGURED TO ASSESS WHETHER A PERFORMANCE PARAMETER OF THE SURGICALAPPARATUS IS WITHIN AN ACCEPTABLE PERFORMANCE BAND, now U.S. Pat. No.10,180,463;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/633,560, entitled SURGICAL CHARGINGSYSTEM THAT CHARGES AND/OR CONDITIONS ONE OR MORE BATTERIES, now U.S.Patent Application Publication No. 2016/0249910;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/633,566, entitled CHARGING SYSTEMTHAT ENABLES EMERGENCY RESOLUTIONS FOR CHARGING A BATTERY, now U.S.Patent Application Publication No. 2016/0249918;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/633,555, entitled SYSTEM FORMONITORING WHETHER A SURGICAL INSTRUMENT NEEDS TO BE SERVICED, now U.S.Patent Application Publication No. 2016/0249916;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/633,542, entitled REINFORCED BATTERYFOR A SURGICAL INSTRUMENT, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,931,118;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/633,548, entitled POWER ADAPTER FORA SURGICAL INSTRUMENT, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No.2016/0249909;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/633,526, entitled ADAPTABLE SURGICALINSTRUMENT HANDLE, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No.2016/0249945;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/633,541, entitled MODULAR STAPLINGASSEMBLY, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,993,258; and

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/633,562, entitled SURGICAL APPARATUSCONFIGURED TO TRACK AN END-OF-LIFE PARAMETER, now U.S. Pat. No.10,159,483.

Applicant of the present application owns the following patentapplications that were filed on Dec. 18, 2014 and which are each hereinincorporated by reference in their respective entirety:

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/574,478, entitled SURGICALINSTRUMENT SYSTEMS COMPRISING AN ARTICULATABLE END EFFECTOR AND MEANSFOR ADJUSTING THE FIRING STROKE OF A FIRING MEMBER, now U.S. Pat. No.9,844,374;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/574,483, entitled SURGICALINSTRUMENT ASSEMBLY COMPRISING LOCKABLE SYSTEMS, now U.S. PatentApplication Publication No. 2016/0174969;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/575,139, entitled DRIVE ARRANGEMENTSFOR ARTICULATABLE SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,844,375;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/575,148, entitled LOCKINGARRANGEMENTS FOR DETACHABLE SHAFT ASSEMBLIES WITH ARTICULATABLE SURGICALEND EFFECTORS, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,085,748;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/575,130, entitled SURGICALINSTRUMENT WITH AN ANVIL THAT IS SELECTIVELY MOVABLE ABOUT A DISCRETENON-MOVABLE AXIS RELATIVE TO A STAPLE CARTRIDGE, now U.S. PatentApplication Publication No. 2016/0174972;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/575,143, entitled SURGICALINSTRUMENTS WITH IMPROVED CLOSURE ARRANGEMENTS, now U.S. Pat. No.10,004,501;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/575,117, entitled SURGICALINSTRUMENTS WITH ARTICULATABLE END EFFECTORS AND MOVABLE FIRING BEAMSUPPORT ARRANGEMENTS, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,943,309;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/575,154, entitled SURGICALINSTRUMENTS WITH ARTICULATABLE END EFFECTORS AND IMPROVED FIRING BEAMSUPPORT ARRANGEMENTS, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,968,355;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/574,493, entitled SURGICALINSTRUMENT ASSEMBLY COMPRISING A FLEXIBLE ARTICULATION SYSTEM, now U.S.Pat. No. 9,987,000; and

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/574,500, entitled SURGICALINSTRUMENT ASSEMBLY COMPRISING A LOCKABLE ARTICULATION SYSTEM, now U.S.Pat. No. 10,117,649.

Applicant of the present application owns the following patentapplications that were filed on Mar. 1, 2013 and which are each hereinincorporated by reference in their respective entirety:

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/782,295, entitled ARTICULATABLESURGICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH CONDUCTIVE PATHWAYS FOR SIGNAL COMMUNICATION,now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0246471;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/782,323, entitled ROTARY POWEREDARTICULATION JOINTS FOR SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS, now U.S. PatentApplication Publication No. 2014/0246472;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/782,338, entitled THUMBWHEEL SWITCHARRANGEMENTS FOR SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS, now U.S. Patent ApplicationPublication No. 2014/0249557;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/782,499, entitled ELECTROMECHANICALSURGICAL DEVICE WITH SIGNAL RELAY ARRANGEMENT, now U.S. Pat. No.9,358,003;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/782,460, entitled MULTIPLE PROCESSORMOTOR CONTROL FOR MODULAR SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS, now U.S. PatentApplication Publication No. 2014/0246478;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/782,358, entitled JOYSTICK SWITCHASSEMBLIES FOR SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,326,767;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/782,481, entitled SENSORSTRAIGHTENED END EFFECTOR DURING REMOVAL THROUGH TROCAR, now U.S. Pat.No. 9,468,438;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/782,518, entitled CONTROL METHODSFOR SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH REMOVABLE IMPLEMENT PORTIONS, now U.S.Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0246475;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/782,375, entitled ROTARY POWEREDSURGICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH MULTIPLE DEGREES OF FREEDOM, now U.S. Pat. No.9,398,911; and

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/782,536, entitled SURGICALINSTRUMENT SOFT STOP, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,307,986.

Applicant of the present application also owns the following patentapplications that were filed on Mar. 14, 2013 and which are each hereinincorporated by reference in their respective entirety:

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/803,097, entitled ARTICULATABLESURGICAL INSTRUMENT COMPRISING A FIRING DRIVE, now U.S. Pat. No.9,687,230;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/803,193, entitled CONTROLARRANGEMENTS FOR A DRIVE MEMBER OF A SURGICAL INSTRUMENT, now U.S. Pat.No. 9,332,987;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/803,053, entitled INTERCHANGEABLESHAFT ASSEMBLIES FOR USE WITH A SURGICAL INSTRUMENT, now U.S. Pat. No.9,883,860;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/803,086, entitled ARTICULATABLESURGICAL INSTRUMENT COMPRISING AN ARTICULATION LOCK, now U.S. PatentApplication Publication No. 2014/0263541;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/803,210, entitled SENSORARRANGEMENTS FOR ABSOLUTE POSITIONING SYSTEM FOR SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS,now U.S. Pat. No. 9,808,244;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/803,148, entitled MULTI-FUNCTIONMOTOR FOR A SURGICAL INSTRUMENT, now U.S. Patent Application PublicationNo. 2014/0263554;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/803,066, entitled DRIVE SYSTEMLOCKOUT ARRANGEMENTS FOR MODULAR SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS, now U.S. Pat. No.9,629,623;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/803,117, entitled ARTICULATIONCONTROL SYSTEM FOR ARTICULATABLE SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS, now U.S. Pat. No.9,351,726;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/803,130, entitled DRIVE TRAINCONTROL ARRANGEMENTS FOR MODULAR SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS, now U.S. Pat. No.9,351,727; and

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/803,159, entitled METHOD AND SYSTEMFOR OPERATING A SURGICAL INSTRUMENT, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,888,919.

Applicant of the present application also owns the following patentapplication that was filed on Mar. 7, 2014 and is herein incorporated byreference in its entirety:

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/200,111, entitled CONTROL SYSTEMSFOR SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,629,629.

Applicant of the present application also owns the following patentapplications that were filed on Mar. 26, 2014 and are each hereinincorporated by reference in their respective entirety:

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/226,106, entitled POWER MANAGEMENTCONTROL SYSTEMS FOR SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS, now U.S. Patent ApplicationPublication No. 2015/0272582;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/226,099, entitled STERILIZATIONVERIFICATION CIRCUIT, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,826,977;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/226,094, entitled VERIFICATION OFNUMBER OF BATTERY EXCHANGES/PROCEDURE COUNT, now U.S. Patent ApplicationPublication No. 2015/0272580;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/226,117, entitled POWER MANAGEMENTTHROUGH SLEEP OPTIONS OF SEGMENTED CIRCUIT AND WAKE UP CONTROL, now U.S.Pat. No. 10,013,049;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/226,075, entitled MODULAR POWEREDSURGICAL INSTRUMENT WITH DETACHABLE SHAFT ASSEMBLIES, now U.S. Pat. No.9,743,929;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/226,093, entitled FEEDBACKALGORITHMS FOR MANUAL BAILOUT SYSTEMS FOR SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS, now U.S.Pat. No. 10,028,761;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/226,116, entitled SURGICALINSTRUMENT UTILIZING SENSOR ADAPTATION, now U.S. Patent ApplicationPublication No. 2015/0272571;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/226,071, entitled SURGICALINSTRUMENT CONTROL CIRCUIT HAVING A SAFETY PROCESSOR, now U.S. Pat. No.9,690,362;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/226,097, entitled SURGICALINSTRUMENT COMPRISING INTERACTIVE SYSTEMS, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,820,738;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/226,126, entitled INTERFACE SYSTEMSFOR USE WITH SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,004,497;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/226,133, entitled MODULAR SURGICALINSTRUMENT SYSTEM, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No.2015/0272557;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/226,081, entitled SYSTEMS ANDMETHODS FOR CONTROLLING A SEGMENTED CIRCUIT, now U.S. Pat. No.9,804,618;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/226,076, entitled POWER MANAGEMENTTHROUGH SEGMENTED CIRCUIT AND VARIABLE VOLTAGE PROTECTION, now U.S. Pat.No. 9,733,663;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/226,111, entitled SURGICAL STAPLINGINSTRUMENT SYSTEM, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,750,499; and

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/226,125, entitled SURGICALINSTRUMENT COMPRISING A ROTATABLE SHAFT, now U.S. Patent ApplicationPublication No. 2015/0280384.

Applicant of the present application also owns the following patentapplications that were filed on Sep. 5, 2014 and which are each hereinincorporated by reference in their respective entirety:

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/479,103, entitled CIRCUITRY ANDSENSORS FOR POWERED MEDICAL DEVICE, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,111,679;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/479,119, entitled ADJUNCT WITHINTEGRATED SENSORS TO QUANTIFY TISSUE COMPRESSION, now U.S. Pat. No.9,724,094;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/478,908, entitled MONITORING DEVICEDEGRADATION BASED ON COMPONENT EVALUATION, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,737,301;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/478,895, entitled MULTIPLE SENSORSWITH ONE SENSOR AFFECTING A SECOND SENSOR'S OUTPUT OR INTERPRETATION,now U.S. Pat. No. 9,757,128;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/479,110, entitled POLARITY OF HALLMAGNET TO IDENTIFY CARTRIDGE TYPE, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,016,199;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/479,098, entitled SMART CARTRIDGEWAKE UP OPERATION AND DATA RETENTION, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,135,242;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/479,115, entitled MULTIPLE MOTORCONTROL FOR POWERED MEDICAL DEVICE, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,788,836; and

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/479,108, entitled LOCAL DISPLAY OFTISSUE PARAMETER STABILIZATION, now U.S. Patent Application PublicationNo. 2016/0066913.

Applicant of the present application also owns the following patentapplications that were filed on Apr. 9, 2014 and which are each hereinincorporated by reference in their respective entirety:

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/248,590, entitled MOTOR DRIVENSURGICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH LOCKABLE DUAL DRIVE SHAFTS, now U.S. Pat. No.9,826,976;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/248,581, entitled SURGICALINSTRUMENT COMPRISING A CLOSING DRIVE AND A FIRING DRIVE OPERATED FROMTHE SAME ROTATABLE OUTPUT, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,649,110;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/248,595, entitled SURGICAL SYSTEMCOMPRISING FIRST AND SECOND DRIVE SYSTEMS, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,844,368;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/248,588, entitled POWERED LINEARSURGICAL STAPLER, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No.2014/0309666;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/248,591, entitled SURGICALINSTRUMENT COMPRISING A GAP SETTING SYSTEM, now U.S. Pat. No.10,149,680;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/248,584, entitled MODULAR MOTORDRIVEN SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH ALIGNMENT FEATURES FOR ALIGNING ROTARYDRIVE SHAFTS WITH SURGICAL END EFFECTOR SHAFTS, now U.S. Pat. No.9,801,626;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/248,587, entitled POWERED SURGICALSTAPLER, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,867,612;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/248,586, entitled DRIVE SYSTEMDECOUPLING ARRANGEMENT FOR A SURGICAL INSTRUMENT, now U.S. Pat. No.10,136,887; and

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/248,607, entitled MODULAR MOTORDRIVEN SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH STATUS INDICATION ARRANGEMENTS, nowU.S. Pat. No. 9,814,460.

Applicant of the present application also owns the following patentapplications that were filed on Apr. 16, 2013 and which are each hereinincorporated by reference in their respective entirety:

U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/812,365, entitledSURGICAL INSTRUMENT WITH MULTIPLE FUNCTIONS PERFORMED BY A SINGLE MOTOR;

U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/812,376, entitled LINEARCUTTER WITH POWER;

U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/812,382, entitled LINEARCUTTER WITH MOTOR AND PISTOL GRIP;

U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/812,385, entitledSURGICAL INSTRUMENT HANDLE WITH MULTIPLE ACTUATION MOTORS AND MOTORCONTROL; and

U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/812,372, entitledSURGICAL INSTRUMENT WITH MULTIPLE FUNCTIONS PERFORMED BY A SINGLE MOTOR.

Numerous specific details are set forth to provide a thoroughunderstanding of the overall structure, function, manufacture, and useof the embodiments as described in the specification and illustrated inthe accompanying drawings. Well-known operations, components, andelements have not been described in detail so as not to obscure theembodiments described in the specification. The reader will understandthat the embodiments described and illustrated herein are non-limitingexamples, and thus it can be appreciated that the specific structuraland functional details disclosed herein may be representative andillustrative. Variations and changes thereto may be made withoutdeparting from the scope of the claims.

The terms “comprise” (and any form of comprise, such as “comprises” and“comprising”), “have” (and any form of have, such as “has” and“having”), “include” (and any form of include, such as “includes” and“including”) and “contain” (and any form of contain, such as “contains”and “containing”) are open-ended linking verbs. As a result, a surgicalsystem, device, or apparatus that “comprises,” “has,” “includes” or“contains” one or more elements possesses those one or more elements,but is not limited to possessing only those one or more elements.Likewise, an element of a system, device, or apparatus that “comprises,”“has,” “includes” or “contains” one or more features possesses those oneor more features, but is not limited to possessing only those one ormore features.

The terms “proximal” and “distal” are used herein with reference to aclinician manipulating the handle portion of the surgical instrument.The term “proximal” refers to the portion closest to the clinician andthe term “distal” refers to the portion located away from the clinician.It will be further appreciated that, for convenience and clarity,spatial terms such as “vertical”, “horizontal”, “up”, and “down” may beused herein with respect to the drawings. However, surgical instrumentsare used in many orientations and positions, and these terms are notintended to be limiting and/or absolute.

Various exemplary devices and methods are provided for performinglaparoscopic and minimally invasive surgical procedures. However, thereader will readily appreciate that the various methods and devicesdisclosed herein can be used in numerous surgical procedures andapplications including, for example, in connection with open surgicalprocedures. As the present Detailed Description proceeds, the readerwill further appreciate that the various instruments disclosed hereincan be inserted into a body in any way, such as through a naturalorifice, through an incision or puncture hole formed in tissue, etc. Theworking portions or end effector portions of the instruments can beinserted directly into a patient's body or can be inserted through anaccess device that has a working channel through which the end effectorand elongate shaft of a surgical instrument can be advanced.

A surgical stapling system can comprise a shaft and an end effectorextending from the shaft. The end effector comprises a first jaw and asecond jaw. The first jaw comprises a staple cartridge. The staplecartridge is insertable into and removable from the first jaw; however,other embodiments are envisioned in which a staple cartridge is notremovable from, or at least readily replaceable from, the first jaw. Thesecond jaw comprises an anvil configured to deform staples ejected fromthe staple cartridge. The second jaw is pivotable relative to the firstjaw about a closure axis; however, other embodiments are envisioned inwhich the first jaw is pivotable relative to the second jaw. Thesurgical stapling system further comprises an articulation jointconfigured to permit the end effector to be rotated, or articulated,relative to the shaft. The end effector is rotatable about anarticulation axis extending through the articulation joint. Otherembodiments are envisioned which do not include an articulation joint.

The staple cartridge comprises a cartridge body. The cartridge bodyincludes a proximal end, a distal end, and a deck extending between theproximal end and the distal end. In use, the staple cartridge ispositioned on a first side of the tissue to be stapled and the anvil ispositioned on a second side of the tissue. The anvil is moved toward thestaple cartridge to compress and clamp the tissue against the deck.Thereafter, staples removably stored in the cartridge body can bedeployed into the tissue. The cartridge body includes staple cavitiesdefined therein wherein staples are removably stored in the staplecavities. The staple cavities are arranged in six longitudinal rows.Three rows of staple cavities are positioned on a first side of alongitudinal slot and three rows of staple cavities are positioned on asecond side of the longitudinal slot. Other arrangements of staplecavities and staples may be possible.

The staples are supported by staple drivers in the cartridge body. Thedrivers are movable between a first, or unfired position, and a second,or fired, position to eject the staples from the staple cavities. Thedrivers are retained in the cartridge body by a retainer which extendsaround the bottom of the cartridge body and includes resilient membersconfigured to grip the cartridge body and hold the retainer to thecartridge body. The drivers are movable between their unfired positionsand their fired positions by a sled. The sled is movable between aproximal position adjacent the proximal end and a distal positionadjacent the distal end. The sled comprises a plurality of rampedsurfaces configured to slide under the drivers and lift the drivers, andthe staples supported thereon, toward the anvil.

Further to the above, the sled is moved distally by a firing member. Thefiring member is configured to contact the sled and push the sled towardthe distal end. The longitudinal slot defined in the cartridge body isconfigured to receive the firing member. The anvil also includes a slotconfigured to receive the firing member. The firing member furthercomprises a first cam which engages the first jaw and a second cam whichengages the second jaw. As the firing member is advanced distally, thefirst cam and the second cam can control the distance, or tissue gap,between the deck of the staple cartridge and the anvil. The firingmember also comprises a knife configured to incise the tissue capturedintermediate the staple cartridge and the anvil. It is desirable for theknife to be positioned at least partially proximal to the rampedsurfaces such that the staples are ejected ahead of the knife.

FIG. 1 illustrates the surgical instrument 1010 that includes aninterchangeable shaft assembly 1200 operably coupled to a housing 1012.FIG. 2 illustrates the interchangeable shaft assembly 1200 detached fromthe housing 1012 or handle 1014. As can be seen in FIG. 3, the handle1014 may comprise a pair of interconnectable handle housing segments1016 and 1018 that may be interconnected by screws, snap features,adhesive, etc. In the illustrated arrangement, the handle housingsegments 1016, 1018 cooperate to form a pistol grip portion 1019. FIGS.1 and 3 depict a motor-driven surgical cutting and fastening instrument1010 that may or may not be reused. In the illustrated embodiment, theinstrument 1010 includes a previous housing 1012 that comprises a handle1014 that is configured to be grasped, manipulated and actuated by theclinician. The housing 1012 is configured for operable attachment to aninterchangeable shaft assembly 1200 that has a surgical end effector1300 operably coupled thereto that is configured to perform one or moresurgical tasks or procedures. As the present Detailed Descriptionproceeds, it will be understood that the various forms ofinterchangeable shaft assemblies disclosed herein may also beeffectively employed in connection with robotically-controlled surgicalsystems. Thus, the term “housing” may also encompass a housing orsimilar portion of a robotic system that houses or otherwise operablysupports at least one drive system that is configured to generate andapply at least one control motion which could be used to actuate theinterchangeable shaft assemblies disclosed herein and their respectiveequivalents. In addition, various components may be “housed” orcontained in the housing or various components may be “associated with”a housing. In such instances, the components may not be contained withinthe housing or supported directly by the housing. The term “frame” mayrefer to a portion of a handheld surgical instrument. The term “frame”may also represent a portion of a robotically controlled surgicalinstrument and/or a portion of the robotic system that may be used tooperably control a surgical instrument. For example, the interchangeableshaft assemblies disclosed herein may be employed with various roboticsystems, instruments, components and methods disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.9,072,535, entitled SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENTS WITH ROTATABLE STAPLEDEPLOYMENT ARRANGEMENTS, that is incorporated by reference herein in itsentirety.

The previous housing 1012 depicted in FIG. 1 is shown in connection withan interchangeable shaft assembly 1200 (FIGS. 2, 4 and 5) that includesan end effector 1300 that comprises a surgical cutting and fasteningdevice that is configured to operably support a surgical staplecartridge 4000 therein. The housing 1012 may be configured for use inconnection with interchangeable shaft assemblies that include endeffectors that are adapted to support different sizes and types ofstaple cartridges, have different shaft lengths, sizes, and types, etc.In addition, the housing 1012 may also be effectively employed with avariety of other interchangeable shaft assemblies including thoseassemblies that are configured to apply other motions and forms ofenergy such as, for example, radio frequency (RF) energy, ultrasonicenergy and/or motion to end effector arrangements adapted for use inconnection with various surgical applications and procedures.Furthermore, the end effectors, shaft assemblies, handles, surgicalinstruments, and/or surgical instrument systems can utilize any suitablefastener, that can be gripped and manipulated by the clinician. As willbe discussed in further detail below, the handle 1014 operably supportsa plurality of drive systems therein that are configured to generate andapply various control motions to corresponding portions of theinterchangeable shaft assembly that is operably attached thereto.

Referring now to FIG. 3, the handle 1014 may further include a frame1020 that operably supports a plurality of drive systems. For example,the frame 1020 can operably support a “first” or closure drive system,generally designated as 1030, which may be employed to apply closing andopening motions to the interchangeable shaft assembly 1200 that isoperably attached or coupled thereto. In at least one form, the closuredrive system 1030 may include an actuator in the form of a closuretrigger 1032 that is pivotally supported by the frame 1020. Morespecifically, as illustrated in FIG. 3, the closure trigger 1032 ispivotally coupled to the handle 1014 by a pin 1033. Such arrangementenables the closure trigger 1032 to be manipulated by a clinician suchthat when the clinician grips the pistol grip portion 1019 of the handle1014, the closure trigger 1032 may be easily pivoted from a starting or“unactuated” position to an “actuated” position and more particularly toa fully compressed or fully actuated position. The closure trigger 1032may be biased into the unactuated position by spring or other biasingarrangement (not shown). In various forms, the closure drive system 1030further includes a closure linkage assembly 1034 that is pivotallycoupled to the closure trigger 1032. As can be seen in FIG. 3, theclosure linkage assembly 1034 may include a first closure link 1036 anda second closure link 1038 that are pivotally coupled to the closuretrigger 1032 by a pin 1035. The second closure link 1038 may also bereferred to herein as an “attachment member” and include a transverseattachment pin 1037.

Still referring to FIG. 3, it can be observed that the first closurelink 1036 may have a locking wall or end 1039 thereon that is configuredto cooperate with a closure release assembly 1060 that is pivotallycoupled to the frame 1020. In at least one form, the closure releaseassembly 1060 may comprise a release button assembly 1062 that has adistally protruding locking pawl 1064 formed thereon. The release buttonassembly 1062 may be pivoted in a counterclockwise direction by arelease spring (not shown). As the clinician depresses the closuretrigger 1032 from its unactuated position towards the pistol gripportion 1019 of the handle 1014, the first closure link 1036 pivotsupward to a point wherein the locking pawl 1064 drops into retainingengagement with the locking wall 1039 on the first closure link 1036thereby preventing the closure trigger 1032 from returning to theunactuated position. Thus, the closure release assembly 1060 serves tolock the closure trigger 1032 in the fully actuated position. When theclinician desires to unlock the closure trigger 1032 to permit it to bebiased to the unactuated position, the clinician simply pivots therelease button assembly 1062 such that the locking pawl 1064 is movedout of engagement with the locking wall 1039 on the first closure link1036. When the locking pawl 1064 has been moved out of engagement withthe first closure link 1036, the closure trigger 1032 may pivot back tothe unactuated position. Other closure trigger locking and releasearrangements may also be employed.

An arm 1061 may extend from the release button assembly 1062. A magneticelement 1063, such as a permanent magnet, for example, may be mounted tothe arm 1061. When the release button assembly 1062 is rotated from itsfirst position to its second position, the magnetic element 1063 canmove toward a circuit board 1100. The circuit board 1100 can include atleast one sensor that is configured to detect the movement of themagnetic element 1063. In at least one embodiment, for example, a “HallEffect” sensor (not shown) can be mounted to the bottom surface of thecircuit board 1100. The Hall Effect sensor can be configured to detectchanges in a magnetic field surrounding the Hall Effect sensor caused bythe movement of the magnetic element 1063. The Hall Effect sensor can bein signal communication with a microcontroller, for example, which candetermine whether the release button assembly 1062 is in its firstposition, which is associated with the unactuated position of theclosure trigger 1032 and the open configuration of the end effector, itssecond position, which is associated with the actuated position of theclosure trigger 1032 and the closed configuration of the end effector,and/or any position between the first position and the second position.

In at least one form, the handle 1014 and the frame 1020 may operablysupport another drive system referred to herein as a firing drive system1080 that is configured to apply firing motions to correspondingportions of the interchangeable shaft assembly attached thereto. Thefiring drive system 1080 may also be referred to herein as a “seconddrive system”. The firing drive system 1080 may employ an electric motor1082 that is located in the pistol grip portion 1019 of the handle 1014.In various forms, the motor 1082 may be a DC brushed driving motorhaving a maximum rotation of, approximately, 25,000 RPM, for example. Inother arrangements, the motor may include a brushless motor, a cordlessmotor, a synchronous motor, a stepper motor, or any other suitableelectric motor. The motor 1082 may be powered by a power source 1090that in one form may comprise a removable power pack 1092. As can beseen in FIG. 3, for example, the power pack 1092 may comprise a proximalhousing portion 1094 that is configured for attachment to a distalhousing portion 1096. The proximal housing portion 1094 and the distalhousing portion 1096 are configured to operably support a plurality ofbatteries 1098 therein. Batteries 1098 may each comprise, for example, aLithium Ion (“LI”) or other suitable battery. The distal housing portion1096 is configured for removable operable attachment to the circuitboard 1100 which is also operably coupled to the motor 1082. A number ofbatteries 1098 may be connected in series may be used as the powersource for the surgical instrument 1010. In addition, the power source1090 may be replaceable and/or rechargeable.

As outlined above with respect to other various forms, the electricmotor 1082 can include a rotatable shaft (not shown) that operablyinterfaces with a gear reducer assembly 1084 that is mounted in meshingengagement with a with a set, or rack, of drive teeth 1122 on alongitudinally-movable drive member 1120. In use, a voltage polarityprovided by the power source 1090 can operate the electric motor 1082 ina clockwise direction wherein the voltage polarity applied to theelectric motor by the battery can be reversed in order to operate theelectric motor 1082 in a counter-clockwise direction. When the electricmotor 1082 is rotated in one direction, the drive member 1120 will beaxially driven in the distal direction “DD”. When the motor 82 is drivenin the opposite rotary direction, the drive member 1120 will be axiallydriven in a proximal direction “PD”. The handle 1014 can include aswitch which can be configured to reverse the polarity applied to theelectric motor 1082 by the power source 1090. As with the other formsdescribed herein, the handle 1014 can also include a sensor that isconfigured to detect the position of the drive member 1120 and/or thedirection in which the drive member 1120 is being moved.

Actuation of the motor 1082 can be controlled by a firing trigger 1130that is pivotally supported on the handle 1014. The firing trigger 1130may be pivoted between an unactuated position and an actuated position.The firing trigger 1130 may be biased into the unactuated position by aspring 1132 or other biasing arrangement such that when the clinicianreleases the firing trigger 1130, it may be pivoted or otherwisereturned to the unactuated position by the spring 1132 or biasingarrangement. In at least one form, the firing trigger 1130 can bepositioned “outboard” of the closure trigger 1032 as was discussedabove. In at least one form, a firing trigger safety button 1134 may bepivotally mounted to the closure trigger 1032 by the pin 1035. Thesafety button 1134 may be positioned between the firing trigger 1130 andthe closure trigger 1032 and have a pivot arm 1136 protruding therefrom.See FIG. 3. When the closure trigger 1032 is in the unactuated position,the safety button 1134 is contained in the handle 1014 where theclinician cannot readily access it and move it between a safety positionpreventing actuation of the firing trigger 1130 and a firing positionwherein the firing trigger 1130 may be fired. As the clinician depressesthe closure trigger 1032, the safety button 1134 and the firing trigger1130 pivot down wherein they can then be manipulated by the clinician.

As indicated above, in at least one form, the longitudinally movabledrive member 1120 has a rack of teeth 1122 formed thereon for meshingengagement with a corresponding drive gear 1086 of the gear reducerassembly 1084. At least one form also includes a manually-actuatable“bailout” assembly 1140 that is configured to enable the clinician tomanually retract the longitudinally movable drive member 1120 should themotor 1082 become disabled. The bailout assembly 1140 may include alever or bailout handle assembly 1142 that is configured to be manuallypivoted into ratcheting engagement with teeth 1124 also provided in thedrive member 1120. Thus, the clinician can manually retract the drivemember 1120 by using the bailout handle assembly 1142 to ratchet thedrive member 1120 in the proximal direction “PD”. U.S. Pat. No.8,608,045, entitled POWERED SURGICAL CUTTING AND STAPLING APPARATUS WITHMANUALLY RETRACTABLE FIRING SYSTEM, discloses bailout arrangements andother components, arrangements and systems that may also be employedwith the various instruments disclosed herein. U.S. Pat. No. 8,608,045,is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

Turning now to FIGS. 2 and 5, the interchangeable shaft assembly 1200includes a surgical end effector 1300 that comprises an elongate channel1310 that is configured to operably support a staple cartridge 4000therein. The end effector 1300 may further include an anvil 2000 that ispivotally supported relative to the elongate channel 1310. Theinterchangeable shaft assembly 1200 may further include an articulationjoint 3020 and an articulation lock 2140 which can be configured toreleasably hold the end effector 1300 in a desired position relative toa shaft axis SA. Examples of various features of at least one form ofthe end effector 1300, the articulation joint 3020 and articulationlocks may be found in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/803,086, filedMar. 14, 2013, entitled ARTICULATABLE SURGICAL INSTRUMENT COMPRISING ANARTICULATION LOCK, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No.2014/0263541. The entire disclosure of U.S. patent application Ser. No.13/803,086, filed Mar. 14, 2013, entitled ARTICULATABLE SURGICALINSTRUMENT COMPRISING AN ARTICULATION LOCK, now U.S. Patent ApplicationPublication No. 2014/0263541, is hereby incorporated by referenceherein. As can be seen in FIG. 4, the interchangeable shaft assembly1200 can further include a proximal housing or nozzle 1201 comprised ofnozzle portions 1202 and 1203.

The interchangeable shaft assembly 1200 can further include a closuresystem or closure member assembly 3000 which can be utilized to closeand/or open the anvil 2000 of the end effector 1300. The shaft assembly1200 can include a spine 1210 that is configured to, one, slidablysupport a firing member therein and, two, slidably support the closuremember assembly 3000 which extends around the spine 1210. As can be seenin FIG. 5, a distal end 1212 of spine 1210 terminates in an upper lugmount feature 1270 and in a lower lug mount feature 1280. The upper lugmount feature 1270 is formed with a lug slot 1272 therein that isadapted to mountingly support an upper mounting link 1274 therein.Similarly, the lower lug mount feature 1280 is formed with a lug slot1282 therein that is adapted to mountingly support a lower mounting link1284 therein. The upper mounting link 1274 includes a pivot socket 1276therein that is adapted to rotatably receive therein a pivot pin 1292that is formed on a channel cap or anvil retainer 1290 that is attachedto a proximal end portion 1312 of the elongate channel 1310. The lowermounting link 1284 includes lower pivot pin 1286 that adapted to bereceived within a pivot hole 1314 formed in the proximal end portion1312 of the elongate channel 1310. See FIG. 5. The lower pivot pin 1286is vertically aligned with the pivot socket 1276 to define anarticulation axis AA about which the surgical end effector 1300 mayarticulate relative to the shaft axis SA. See FIG. 2.

In the illustrated example, the surgical end effector 1300 isselectively articulatable about the articulation axis AA by anarticulation system 2100. In one form, the articulation system 2100includes proximal articulation driver 2102 that is pivotally coupled toan articulation link 2120. As can be most particularly seen in FIG. 5,an offset attachment lug 2114 is formed on a distal end 2110 of theproximal articulation driver 2102. A pivot hole 2116 is formed in theoffset attachment lug 2114 and is configured to pivotally receivetherein a proximal link pin 2124 formed on the proximal end 2122 of thearticulation link 2120. A distal end 2126 of the articulation link 2120includes a pivot hole 2128 that is configured to pivotally receivetherein a channel pin 1317 formed on the proximal end portion 1312 ofthe elongate channel 1310. Thus, axial movement of proximal articulationdriver 2102 will thereby apply articulation motions to the elongatechannel 1310 to thereby cause the surgical end effector 1300 toarticulate about the articulation axis AA relative to the spine 1210.Further details concerning the construction and operation of thearticulation system 2100 may be found in various references incorporatedby reference herein including U.S. patent application Ser. No.15/635,631, filed Jun. 28, 2017, entitled SURGICAL INSTRUMENT WITHAXIALLY MOVABLE CLOSURE MEMBER, now U.S. Patent Application PublicationNo. 2019/0000464, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporatedby reference herein. In various circumstances, the proximal articulationdriver 2102 can be held in position by an articulation lock 2140 whenthe proximal articulation driver 2102 is not being moved in the proximalor distal directions. Additional details regarding an example of anarticulation lock 2140 may be found in U.S. patent application Ser. No.15/635,631, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2019/0000464, aswell as in other references incorporated by reference herein.

In various circumstances, the spine 1210 can comprise a proximal end1211 which is rotatably supported in a chassis 1240. In one arrangement,for example, the proximal end 1211 of the spine 1210 has a thread 1214formed thereon for threaded attachment to a spine bearing 1216configured to be supported within the chassis 1240. See FIG. 4. Such anarrangement facilitates rotatable attachment of the spine 1210 to thechassis 1240 such that the spine 1210 may be selectively rotated about ashaft axis SA relative to the chassis 1240.

Referring primarily to FIG. 4, the interchangeable shaft assembly 1200includes a closure shuttle 1250 that is slidably supported within thechassis 1240 such that it may be axially moved relative thereto. Theclosure shuttle 1250 includes a pair of proximally-protruding hooks 1252that are configured for attachment to the attachment pin 1037 (FIG. 3)that is attached to the second closure link 1038 as will be discussed infurther detail below. In at least one example, the closure memberassembly 3000 comprises a proximal closure member segment 3010 that hasa proximal end 3012 that is coupled to the closure shuttle 1250 forrelative rotation thereto. For example, a U shaped connector 1263 isinserted into an annular slot 3014 in the proximal end 3012 of theproximal closure member segment 3010 and is retained within verticalslots 1253 in the closure shuttle 1250. Such an arrangement serves toattach the proximal closure member segment 3010 to the closure shuttle1250 for axial travel therewith while enabling the proximal closuremember segment 3010 to rotate relative to the closure shuttle 1250 aboutthe shaft axis SA. A closure spring 1268 is journaled on the proximalclosure member segment 3010 and serves to bias the proximal closuremember segment 3010 in the proximal direction “PD” which can serve topivot the closure trigger 1032 into the unactuated position when theshaft assembly is operably coupled to the handle 1014.

In at least one form, the interchangeable shaft assembly 1200 mayfurther include an articulation joint 3020. Other interchangeable shaftassemblies, however, may not be capable of articulation. As can be seenin FIG. 5, for example, a distal closure member or distal closure tubesegment 3030 is coupled to the distal end of the proximal closure membersegment 3010. The articulation joint 3020 includes a double pivotclosure sleeve assembly 3022. According to various forms, the doublepivot closure sleeve assembly 3022 includes an end effector closure tube3050 having upper and lower distally projecting tangs 3052, 3054. Anupper double pivot link 3056 includes upwardly projecting distal andproximal pivot pins that engage respectively an upper distal pin hole inthe upper proximally projecting tang 3052 and an upper proximal pin holein an upper distally projecting tang 3032 on the distal closure tubesegment 3030. A lower double pivot link 3058 includes upwardlyprojecting distal and proximal pivot pins that engage respectively alower distal pin hole in the lower proximally projecting tang 3054 and alower proximal pin hole in the lower distally projecting tang 3034. SeeFIGS. 4 and 5. As will be discussed in further detail below, the closuremember assembly 3000 is translated distally (direction “DD”) to closethe anvil 2000, for example, in response to the actuation of the closuretrigger 1032. The anvil 2000 is opened by proximally translating theclosure member assembly 3000 which causes the end effector closure tube3050 to interact with the anvil 2000 and pivot it to an open position.

As was also indicated above, the interchangeable shaft assembly 1200further includes a firing member 1900 that is supported for axial travelwithin the spine 1210. The firing member 1900 includes an intermediatefiring shaft portion 1222 that is configured for attachment to a distalcutting portion or knife bar 1910. The intermediate firing shaft portion1222 may include a longitudinal slot 1223 in the distal end thereofwhich can be configured to receive a tab 1912 on the proximal end of thedistal knife bar 1910. The longitudinal slot 1223 and the proximal endtab 1912 can be sized and configured to permit relative movementtherebetween and can comprise a slip joint 1914. The slip joint 1914 canpermit the intermediate firing shaft portion 1222 of the firing member1900 to be moved to articulate the end effector 1300 without moving, orat least substantially moving, the knife bar 1910. Once the end effector1300 has been suitably oriented, the intermediate firing shaft portion1222 can be advanced distally until a proximal sidewall of thelongitudinal slot 1223 comes into contact with the tab 1912 in order toadvance the knife bar 1910 and fire the staple cartridge 4000 positionedwithin the channel 1310. The knife bar 1910 includes a knife portion1920 that includes a blade or tissue cutting edge 1922 and includes anupper anvil engagement tab 1924 and lower channel engagement tabs 1926.Various firing member configurations and operations are disclosed invarious other references incorporated herein by reference.

As can be seen in FIG. 4, the shaft assembly 1200 further includes aswitch drum 1500 that is rotatably received on proximal closure membersegment 3010. The switch drum 1500 comprises a hollow shaft segment 1502that has a shaft boss formed thereon for receive an outwardly protrudingactuation pin therein. In various circumstances, the actuation pinextends through a longitudinal slot provided in the lock sleeve tofacilitate axial movement of the lock sleeve when it is engaged with thearticulation driver. A rotary torsion spring 1420 is configured toengage the boss on the switch drum 1500 and a portion of the nozzlehousing 1203 to apply a biasing force to the switch drum 1500. Theswitch drum 1500 can further comprise at least partially circumferentialopenings 1506 defined therein which can be configured to receivecircumferential mounts extending from the nozzle portions 1202, 1203 andpermit relative rotation, but not translation, between the switch drum1500 and the nozzle 1201. The mounts also extend through openings 3011in the proximal closure member segment 3010 to be seated in recesses1219 in the spine 1210. Rotation of the switch drum 1500 about the shaftaxis SA will ultimately result in the rotation of the actuation pin andthe lock sleeve between its engaged and disengaged positions. In onearrangement, the rotation of the switch drum 1500 may be linked to theaxial advancement of the closure tube or closure member. Thus, inessence, actuation of the closure system may operably engage anddisengage the articulation drive system with the firing drive system inthe various manners described in further detail in U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 13/803,086, now U.S. Patent Application PublicationNo. 2014/0263541, entitled ARTICULATABLE SURGICAL INSTRUMENT COMPRISINGAN ARTICULATION LOCK and U.S. Pat. No. 9,913,642, entitled SURGICALINSTRUMENT COMPRISING A SENSOR SYSTEM, the entire disclosures of eachbeing hereby incorporated by reference herein. For example, when theclosure member segment 3010 is in its proximal-most positioncorresponding to a “jaws open” position, the closure member segment 3010will have positioned the switch drum 1500 so as to link the articulationsystem with the firing drive system. When, the closure tube has beenmoved to its distal position corresponding to a “jaws closed” position,the closure tube has rotated the switch drum 1500 to a position whereinthe articulation system is delinked from the firing drive system.

As also illustrated in FIG. 4, the shaft assembly 1200 can comprise aslip ring assembly 1600 which can be configured to conduct electricalpower to and/or from the end effector 1300 and/or communicate signals toand/or from the end effector 1300, for example. The slip ring assembly1600 can comprise a proximal connector flange 1604 that is mounted to achassis flange 1242 that extends from the chassis 1240 and a distalconnector flange that is positioned within a slot defined in the shafthousings. The proximal connector flange 1604 can comprise a first faceand the distal connector flange can comprise a second face which ispositioned adjacent to and movable relative to the first face. Thedistal connector flange can rotate relative to the proximal connectorflange 1604 about the shaft axis SA. The proximal connector flange 1604can comprise a plurality of concentric, or at least substantiallyconcentric, conductors defined in the first face thereof. A connectorcan be mounted on the proximal side of the connector flange and may havea plurality of contacts wherein each contact corresponds to and is inelectrical contact with one of the conductors. Such an arrangementpermits relative rotation between the proximal connector flange 1604 andthe distal connector flange while maintaining electrical contacttherebetween. The proximal connector flange 1604 can include anelectrical connector 1606 which can place the conductors in signalcommunication with a shaft circuit board 1610 mounted to the shaftchassis 1240, for example. In at least one instance, a wiring harnesscomprising a plurality of conductors can extend between the electricalconnector 1606 and the shaft circuit board 1610. The electricalconnector 1606 may extend proximally through a connector opening 1243defined in the chassis flange 1242. See FIG. 4. Further detailsregarding slip ring assembly 1600 may be found in U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 13/803,086, entitled ARTICULATABLE SURGICALINSTRUMENT COMPRISING AN ARTICULATION LOCK, now U.S. Patent ApplicationPublication No. 2014/0263541, U.S. patent application Ser. No.13/800,067, entitled STAPLE CARTRIDGE TISSUE THICKNESS SENSOR SYSTEM,filed on Mar. 13, 2013, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No.2014/0263552, and U.S. Pat. No. 9,345,481, entitled STAPLE CARTRIDGETISSUE THICKNESS SENSOR SYSTEM, for example. U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 13/803,086, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No.2014/0263541, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/800,067, now U.S.Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0263552, and U.S. Pat. No.9,345,481 are each hereby incorporated by reference herein in theirrespective entireties.

As discussed above, the shaft assembly 1200 can include a proximalportion which is fixably mounted to the handle 1014 and a distal portionwhich is rotatable about a longitudinal axis. The rotatable distal shaftportion can be rotated relative to the proximal portion about the slipring assembly 1600, as discussed above. The distal connector flange ofthe slip ring assembly 1600 can be positioned within the rotatabledistal shaft portion. Moreover, further to the above, the switch drum1500 can also be positioned within the rotatable distal shaft portion.When the rotatable distal shaft portion is rotated, the distal connectorflange and the switch drum 1500 can be rotated synchronously with oneanother. In addition, the switch drum 1500 can be rotated between afirst position and a second position relative to the distal connectorflange. When the switch drum 1500 is in its first position, thearticulation drive system may be operably disengaged from the firingdrive system and, thus, the operation of the firing drive system may notarticulate the end effector 1300 of the shaft assembly 1200. When theswitch drum 1500 is in its second position, the articulation drivesystem may be operably engaged with the firing drive system and, thus,the operation of the firing drive system may articulate the end effector1300 of the shaft assembly 1200. When the switch drum 1500 is movedbetween its first position and its second position, the switch drum 1500is moved relative to distal connector flange. In various instances, theshaft assembly 1200 can comprise at least one sensor configured todetect the position of the switch drum 1500.

Referring again to FIG. 4, the chassis 1240 includes at least one, andpreferably two, tapered attachment portions 1244 formed thereon that areadapted to be received within corresponding dovetail slots 1702 formedwithin a distal attachment flange portion 1700 of the frame 1020. SeeFIG. 3. Each dovetail slot 1702 may be tapered or, stated another way,be somewhat V-shaped to seatingly receive the attachment portions 1244therein. As can be further seen in FIG. 4, a shaft attachment lug 1226is formed on the proximal end of the intermediate firing shaft portion1222. As will be discussed in further detail below, when theinterchangeable shaft assembly 1200 is coupled to the handle 1014, theshaft attachment lug 1226 is received in a firing shaft attachmentcradle 1126 formed in a distal end 1125 of the longitudinal drive member1120. See FIG. 3.

Various shaft assembly embodiments employ a latch system 1710 forremovably coupling the shaft assembly 1200 to the housing 1012 and morespecifically to the frame 1020. As can be seen in FIG. 4, for example,in at least one form, the latch system 1710 includes a lock member orlock yoke 1712 that is movably coupled to the chassis 1240. In theillustrated embodiment, for example, the lock yoke 1712 has a U-shapewith two spaced downwardly extending legs 1714. The legs 1714 each havea pivot lug 1715 formed thereon that are adapted to be received incorresponding holes 1245 formed in the chassis 1240. Such arrangementfacilitates pivotal attachment of the lock yoke 1712 to the chassis1240. The lock yoke 1712 may include two proximally protruding lock lugs1716 that are configured for releasable engagement with correspondinglock detents or grooves 1704 in the distal attachment flange portion1700 of the frame 1020. See FIG. 3. In various forms, the lock yoke 1712is biased in the proximal direction by spring or biasing member (notshown). Actuation of the lock yoke 1712 may be accomplished by a latchbutton 1722 that is slidably mounted on a latch actuator assembly 1720that is mounted to the chassis 1240. The latch button 1722 may be biasedin a proximal direction relative to the lock yoke 1712. As will bediscussed in further detail below, the lock yoke 1712 may be moved to anunlocked position by biasing the latch button in the distal directionwhich also causes the lock yoke 1712 to pivot out of retainingengagement with the distal attachment flange portion 1700 of the frame1020. When the lock yoke 1712 is in “retaining engagement” with thedistal attachment flange portion 1700 of the frame 1020, the lock lugs1716 are retainingly seated within the corresponding lock detents orgrooves 1704 in the distal attachment flange portion 1700.

When employing an interchangeable shaft assembly that includes an endeffector of the type described herein that is adapted to cut and fastentissue, as well as other types of end effectors, it may be desirable toprevent inadvertent detachment of the interchangeable shaft assemblyfrom the housing during actuation of the end effector. For example, inuse the clinician may actuate the closure trigger 1032 to grasp andmanipulate the target tissue into a desired position. Once the targettissue is positioned within the end effector 1300 in a desiredorientation, the clinician may then fully actuate the closure trigger1032 to close the anvil 2000 and clamp the target tissue in position forcutting and stapling. In that instance, the first drive system 1030 hasbeen fully actuated. After the target tissue has been clamped in the endeffector 1300, it may be desirable to prevent the inadvertent detachmentof the shaft assembly 1200 from the housing 1012. One form of the latchsystem 1710 is configured to prevent such inadvertent detachment.

As can be most particularly seen in FIG. 4, the lock yoke 1712 includesat least one and preferably two lock hooks 1718 that are adapted tocontact corresponding lock lug portions 1256 that are formed on theclosure shuttle 1250. When the closure shuttle 1250 is in an unactuatedposition (i.e., the first drive system 1030 is unactuated and the anvil2000 is open), the lock yoke 1712 may be pivoted in a distal directionto unlock the interchangeable shaft assembly 1200 from the housing 1012.When in that position, the lock hooks 1718 do not contact the lock lugportions 1256 on the closure shuttle 1250. However, when the closureshuttle 1250 is moved to an actuated position (i.e., the first drivesystem 1030 is actuated and the anvil 2000 is in the closed position),the lock yoke 1712 is prevented from being pivoted to an unlockedposition. Stated another way, if the clinician were to attempt to pivotthe lock yoke 1712 to an unlocked position or, for example, the lockyoke 1712 was inadvertently bumped or contacted in a manner that mightotherwise cause it to pivot distally, the lock hooks 1718 on the lockyoke 1712 will contact the lock lug portions 1256 on the closure shuttle1250 and prevent movement of the lock yoke 1712 to an unlocked position.

Attachment of the interchangeable shaft assembly 1200 to the handle 1014will now be described. To commence the coupling process, the clinicianmay position the chassis 1240 of the interchangeable shaft assembly 1200above or adjacent to the distal attachment flange portion 1700 of theframe 1020 such that the tapered attachment portions 1244 formed on thechassis 1240 are aligned with the dovetail slots 1702 in the frame 1020.The clinician may then move the shaft assembly 1200 along aninstallation axis that is perpendicular to the shaft axis SA to seat theattachment portions 1244 in “operable engagement” with the correspondingdovetail receiving slots 1702. In doing so, the shaft attachment lug1226 on the intermediate firing shaft portion 1222 will also be seatedin the cradle 1126 in the longitudinally movable drive member 1120 andthe portions of the pin 1037 on the second closure link 1038 will beseated in the corresponding hooks 1252 in the closure shuttle 1250. Asused herein, the term “operable engagement” in the context of twocomponents means that the two components are sufficiently engaged witheach other so that upon application of an actuation motion thereto, thecomponents may carry out their intended action, function and/orprocedure.

At least five systems of the interchangeable shaft assembly 1200 can beoperably coupled with at least five corresponding systems of the handle1014. A first system can comprise a frame system which couples and/oraligns the frame or spine of the shaft assembly 1200 with the frame 1020of the handle 1014. Another system can comprise a closure drive system1030 which can operably connect the closure trigger 1032 of the handle1014 and the closure tube 1260 and the anvil 2000 of the shaft assembly1200. As outlined above, the closure shuttle 1250 of the shaft assembly1200 can be engaged with the pin 1037 on the second closure link 1038.Another system can comprise the firing drive system 1080 which canoperably connect the firing trigger 1130 of the handle 1014 with theintermediate firing shaft portion 1222 of the shaft assembly 1200. Asoutlined above, the shaft attachment lug 1226 can be operably connectedwith the cradle 1126 of the longitudinal drive member 1120. Anothersystem can comprise an electrical system which can signal to acontroller in the handle 1014, such as microcontroller, for example,that a shaft assembly, such as shaft assembly 1200, for example, hasbeen operably engaged with the handle 1014 and/or, two, conduct powerand/or communication signals between the shaft assembly 1200 and thehandle 1014. For instance, the shaft assembly 1200 can include anelectrical connector 1810 that is operably mounted to the shaft circuitboard 1610. The electrical connector 1810 is configured for matingengagement with a corresponding electrical connector 1800 on the handlecontrol board 1100. Further details regaining the circuitry and controlsystems may be found in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/803,086, nowU.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0263541, and U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 14/226,142, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,913,642, the entiredisclosures of each which were previously incorporated by referenceherein. The fifth system may consist of the latching system forreleasably locking the shaft assembly 1200 to the handle 1014.

The anvil 2000 in the illustrated example includes an anvil body 2002that terminates in an anvil mounting portion 2010. The anvil mountingportion 2010 is movably or pivotably supported on the elongate channel1310 for selective pivotal travel relative thereto about a fixed anvilpivot axis PA that is transverse to the shaft axis SA. In theillustrated arrangement, a pivot member or anvil trunnion 2012 extendslaterally out of each lateral side of the anvil mounting portion 2010 tobe received in a corresponding trunnion cradle 1316 formed in theupstanding walls 1315 of the proximal end portion 1312 of the elongatechannel 1310. The anvil trunnions 2012 are pivotally retained in theircorresponding trunnion cradle 1316 by the channel cap or anvil retainer1290. The channel cap or anvil retainer 1290 includes a pair ofattachment lugs that are configured to be retainingly received withincorresponding lug grooves or notches formed in the upstanding walls 1315of the proximal end portion 1312 of the elongate channel 1310. See FIG.5.

Still referring to FIG. 5, in at least one arrangement, the distalclosure member or end effector closure tube 3050 employs two axiallyoffset, proximal and distal positive jaw opening features 3060 and 3062.The positive jaw opening features 3060, 3062 are configured to interactwith corresponding relieved areas and stepped portions formed on theanvil mounting portion 2010 as described in further detail in U.S.patent application Ser. No. 15/635,631, entitled SURGICAL INSTRUMENTWITH AXIALLY MOVABLE CLOSURE MEMBER, now U.S. Patent ApplicationPublication No. 2019/0000464, the entire disclosure which has beenherein incorporated by reference. Other jaw opening arrangements may beemployed.

FIGS. 6-8 depict a previous surgical cutting and fastening instrument5010 that is configured to generate rotary drive motions for operating asurgical end effector 5012. The endoscopic surgical instrument 5010comprises a handle 5006, a shaft 5008, and an articulating surgical endeffector 5012 pivotally connected to the shaft 5008 at an articulationpivot 5014. An articulation control 5016 may be provided adjacent to thehandle 5006 to effect rotation of the end effector 5012 about thearticulation pivot 5014. It will be appreciated that various embodimentsmay include a non-pivoting end effector, and therefore may not have anarticulation pivot 5014 or articulation control 5016.

The handle 5006 of the instrument 5010 may include a closure trigger5018 and a firing trigger 5020 for actuating the end effector 5012. Itwill be appreciated that instruments having end effectors directed todifferent surgical tasks may have different numbers or types of triggersor other suitable controls for operating the end effector 5012. In oneembodiment, a clinician or operator of the instrument 5010 mayarticulate the end effector 5012 relative to the shaft 5008 by utilizingthe articulation control 5016, as described in more detail in pendingU.S. Pat. No. 7,670,334, entitled SURGICAL INSTRUMENT HAVING ANARTICULATING END EFFECTOR, the entire disclosure of which isincorporated herein by reference. The end effector 5012 includes in thisexample, among other things, a staple channel 5022 and a pivotallytranslatable clamping member, such as an anvil 5024, which aremaintained at a spacing that assures effective stapling and severing oftissue clamped in the end effector 5012. The handle 5006 includes apistol grip 5026 toward which the closure trigger 5018 is pivotallydrawn by the clinician to cause clamping or closing of the anvil 5024towards the staple channel 5022 of the end effector 5012 to therebyclamp tissue positioned between the anvil 5024 and channel 5022.

In the arrangement depicted in FIG. 7, the end effector 5012 includes,in addition to the previously-mentioned channel 5022 and anvil 5024, acutting instrument 5032, a sled 5033, a staple cartridge 5034 that isremovably seated in the channel 5022, and a helical screw shaft 5036.The cutting instrument 5032 may be, for example, a knife. The anvil 5024includes pivot pins 5025 that are movably supported in correspondingslots in the channel 5022. In one arrangement, the anvil 5024 includes atab 5027 at its proximate end that is inserted into a component of themechanical closure system (described further below) to open and closethe anvil 5024.

Still referring to FIG. 7, the shaft 5008 includes a proximal closuretube 5040 and a distal closure tube 5042 pivotably linked by a pivotlink 5044. The distal closure tube 5042 includes an opening 5045 intowhich the tab 5027 on the anvil 5024 is inserted in order to open andclose the anvil 5024, as further described below. Disposed inside theclosure tubes 5040, 5042 may be a proximate spine tube 5046. Disposedinside the proximate spine tube 5046 may be a main rotational (orproximate) drive shaft 5048 that communicates with a secondary (ordistal) drive shaft 5050 via a bevel gear assembly 5052 a-c. Thesecondary drive shaft 5050 is connected to a drive gear 5054 thatengages a proximate drive gear 5056 of the helical screw shaft 5036. Thevertical bevel gear 5052 b may sit and pivot in an opening 5057 in thedistal end of the proximate spine tube 5046. A distal spine tube 5058may be used to enclose the secondary drive shaft 5050 and the drivegears 5054, 5056. Collectively, the main drive shaft 5048, the secondarydrive shaft 5050, and the articulation assembly (e.g., the bevel gearassembly 5052 a-c) are sometimes referred to herein as the “main driveshaft assembly.”

A bearing 5038, positioned at a distal end of the staple channel 5022,receives the helical screw shaft 5036, allowing the helical screw shaft5036 to freely rotate with respect to the channel 5022. The helicalscrew shaft 5036 may interface a threaded opening (not shown) of theknife 5032 such that rotation of the helical screw shaft 5036 causes theknife 5032 to translate distally or proximately (depending on thedirection of the rotation) through the staple channel 5022.

Turning next to FIG. 8, the handle 5006 includes exterior lower sidepieces 5059, 5060 and nozzle pieces 5061, 5062 that fit together toform, in general, the exterior of the handle 5006. A battery 5064, suchas a Li ion battery, may be provided in the pistol grip 5026 of thehandle 5006. The battery 5064 powers a motor 5065 disposed in an upperportion of the pistol grip portion 5026 of the handle 5006. The motor5065 may drive a 90° bevel gear assembly 5066 comprising a first bevelgear 5068 and a second bevel gear 5070. The bevel gear assembly 5066 maydrive a planetary gear assembly 5072. The planetary gear assembly 5072may include a pinion gear 5074 connected to a drive shaft 5076. Thepinion gear 5074 may drive a mating ring gear 5078 that drives a helicalgear drum 5080 via a drive shaft. A ring 5084 may be threaded on thehelical gear drum 5080. Thus, when the motor 5065 rotates, the ring 5084is caused to travel along the helical gear drum 5080 by means of theinterposed bevel gear assembly 5066, planetary gear assembly 5072 andring gear 5078.

The handle 5006 may include a middle handle piece 5104 adjacent to theupper portion of the firing trigger 5020. The handle 5006 also maycomprise a bias spring 5112 connected between posts on the middle handlepiece 5104 and the firing trigger 5020. The bias spring 5112 may biasthe firing trigger 5020 to its fully open position. In that way, whenthe operator releases the firing trigger 5020, the bias spring 5112 willpull the firing trigger 5020 to its open position. The distal end of thehelical gear drum 5080 includes a distal drive shaft 5120 that drives aring gear 5122, which mates with a pinion gear 5124. The pinion gear5124 is connected to the main drive shaft 5048 of the main drive shaftassembly. In that way, rotation of the motor 5065 causes the main driveshaft assembly to rotate, which causes actuation of the end effector5012. The ring 5084 threaded on the helical gear drum 5080 may include apost 5086 that is disposed within a slot 5088 of a slotted arm 5090. Theslotted arm 5090 has an opening 5092 in its opposite end 5094 thatreceives a pivot pin 5096 that is connected between the handle exteriorside pieces 5059, 5060. The pivot pin 5096 is also disposed through anopening 5100 in the firing trigger 5020 and an opening 5102 in themiddle handle piece 5104.

The middle handle piece 5104 includes a backside shoulder 5106 thatengages the slotted arm 5090. The middle handle piece 5104 also has aforward motion stop 5107 that engages the firing trigger 5020. Themovement of the slotted arm 5090 is controlled by rotation of the motor5065. When the slotted arm 5090 rotates counter clockwise as the ring5084 travels from the proximate end of the helical gear drum 5080 to thedistal end, the middle handle piece 5104 will be free to rotate counterclockwise. Thus, as the user draws in the firing trigger 5020, thefiring trigger 5020 will engage the forward motion stop 5107 of themiddle handle piece 5104, causing the middle handle piece 5104 to rotatecounter clockwise. Due to the backside shoulder 5106 engaging theslotted arm 5090, however, the middle handle piece 5104 will only beable to rotate counter clockwise as far as the slotted arm 5090 permits.In that way, if the motor 5065 should stop rotating for some reason, theslotted arm 5090 will stop rotating, and the user will not be able tofurther draw in the firing trigger 5020 because the middle handle piece5104 will not be free to rotate counter clockwise due to the slotted arm5090.

Components of an exemplary closure system for closing (or clamping) theanvil 5024 of the end effector 5012 by retracting the closure trigger5018 are also shown in FIG. 8. In the illustrated embodiment, theclosure system includes a yoke 5250 connected to the closure trigger5018. A pivot pin 5252 is inserted through aligned openings in both theclosure trigger 5018 and the yoke 5250 such that they both rotate aboutthe same point. The distal end of the yoke 5250 is connected, via a pin5254, to a first closure bracket 5256. The first closure bracket 5256connects to a second closure bracket 5258. Collectively, the closurebrackets 5256, 5258 define an opening in which the proximate end of theproximal closure tube 5040 (see FIG. 7) is seated and held such thatlongitudinal movement of the closure brackets 5256, 5258 causeslongitudinal motion by the proximal closure tube 5040. The instrument5010 also includes a closure drive shaft 5260 disposed inside theproximal closure tube 5040. The closure drive shaft 5260 may include awindow 5261 into which a post 5263 on one of the handle exterior pieces,such as exterior lower side piece 5059 in the illustrated embodiment, isdisposed to fixedly connect the closure drive shaft 5260 to the handle5006. In that way, the proximal closure tube 5040 is capable of movinglongitudinally relative to the closure drive shaft 5260. The closuredrive shaft 5260 may also include a distal collar 5267 that fits into acavity in proximate spine tube 5046 and is retained therein by a cap.

In operation, when the yoke 5250 rotates due to retraction of theclosure trigger 5018, the closure brackets 5256, 5258 cause the proximalclosure tube 5040 to move distally (i.e., away from the handle end ofthe instrument 5010), which causes the distal closure tube 5042 to movedistally, which causes the anvil 5024 to rotate about the pivot pins5025 into the clamped or closed position. When the closure trigger 5018is unlocked from the locked position, the proximal closure tube 5040 iscaused to slide proximately, which causes the distal closure tube 5042to slide proximately, which, by virtue of the tab 5027 being inserted inthe opening 5045 of the distal closure tube 5042, causes the anvil 5024to pivot about the pivot pins 5025 into the open or unclamped position.In that way, by retracting and locking the closure trigger 5018, anoperator may clamp tissue between the anvil 5024 and channel 5022, andmay unclamp the tissue following the cutting/stapling operation byunlocking the closure trigger 5018 from the locked position. Furtherdetails concerning the construction and operation of the existingsurgical instrument 5010 may be found in U.S. Pat. No. 7,845,537,entitled SURGICAL INSTRUMENT HAVING RECORDING CAPABILITIES, the entiredisclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein. Otherrotary drive arrangements configured for use with various forms ofrobotic systems are disclosed in U.S. Patent application Publication No.2016/0287251, entitled STAPLING END EFFECTOR CONFIGURED TO COMPENSATEFOR AN UNEVEN GAP BETWEEN A FIRST JAW AND A SECOND JAW, the entiredisclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein.

FIGS. 9-16 depict a surgical end effector 20012 that may be used forexample in connection with the powered surgical instrument 5010described above. The surgical end effector 20012 may also be effectiveemployed with various other rotary powered or robotically poweredsurgical systems which are disclosed in the various referencesincorporated herein by reference. Those components shown in FIGS. 9-16that are identical to the components of the powered surgical instrument5010 have been labeled with like component numbers. In the illustratedexample, the surgical end effector 20012 comprises an elongate channel20020 that is configured to operably support a surgical staple cartridge20040 therein. The elongate channel 20020 is similar to channel 5022described above, except for the noted differences. Turning to FIG. 10,the elongate channel 20020 comprises a pair of spaced upstanding walls20022 and a bottom 20024. A helical screw shaft 5036 is supported in thechannel 20020 by a bearing 5038 which enables the helical screw shaft5036 to freely rotate with respect to the channel 20020. The surgicalend effector 20012 further comprises an anvil 5024 that has pivot pinsor trunnions 5025 that are received in corresponding slots 20026provided in the upstanding channel walls 20022.

In the illustrated arrangement, the staple cartridge 20040 includes anelongate cartridge body 20042 that is sized to be removably seated inthe elongate channel 20020. The cartridge body 20042 includes acartridge slot 20050 that extends from a proximal end portion 20046 to adistal end portion 20044 of the cartridge body 20042. The cartridge body20042 further comprises a cartridge deck surface 20043 that confronts astaple-forming undersurface 5029 of the anvil 5024 when the cartridge20040 is seated in the channel 20020 and the anvil 5024 is pivoted to aclosed position. Also in the illustrated example, three lines ofsurgical staple pockets 20052 are formed on each side of the cartridgeslot 20050 and open through the cartridge deck surface 20043. Eachstaple pocket 20052 may have a staple driver (not shown) associatedtherewith that supports a surgical staple or fastener (not shown)thereon.

Still referring to FIG. 10, the staple cartridge 20040 further includesa camming assembly 20060 that comprises a camming assembly body 20062that has a passage 20064 therethrough that is configured to straddle thehelical screw shaft 5036 without affecting the rotation thereof. Inother embodiments, the camming assembly 20060 may have a series ofinternal threads (not shown) that are configured to threadably engagethe helical screw shaft 5036 to be driven thereby. In such arrangements,for example, the helical screw shaft 5036 may be provided with anunthreaded portion that corresponds to a starting position of thecamming assembly 20060. Such camming assembly arrangements are furtherdescribed in various references that have been herein incorporated byreference. In the illustrated example, the camming assembly 20060 isdriven distally through the cartridge body 20042 by a firing member20120.

As can further be seen in FIG. 10, the camming assembly body 20062includes a series of cam members 20066 that are aligned withcorresponding staple drivers supported in lines within the staplecartridge body 20042. In the illustrated example, the camming assembly20060 includes an onboard tissue cutting member or blade 20068. Thetissue cutting member 20068 extends above the deck surface 20043 so thatas the camming assembly 20060 is driven distally, the tissue cuttingmember 20068 cuts the tissue that is clamped between the anvil 5024 andthe staple cartridge 20040. When the staple cartridge is “fresh” or new(i.e., the cartridge has never been fired and contains staples orfasteners therein ready to be fired), the camming assembly 20060 is in astarting position within the cartridge 20040. When the camming assembly20060 is in the starting position, the tissue cutting member 20068 islocated within a garage portion 20048 formed on the proximal end portion20046 of the cartridge body 20042 to prevent injury when handling thefresh cartridge 20040. In one aspect, the cam members 20066 extenddistally beyond the tissue cutting member 20068 such that the staples orfasteners are deployed through the tissue before the tissue cuttingmember 20068 cuts through the tissue. Thus, the clamped tissue isstapled and thereafter cut as the firing member 20120 and cammingassembly 20060 are driven distally. Once the firing member 20120 and thecamming assembly 20060 have been driven into their distal-most endingpositions, the firing member 20120 may be retracted back to its startingposition by rotating the helical screw shaft 5036 in a reverse rotarydirection while the camming assembly 20060 remains in its endingposition. In at least one arrangement, the tissue cutting member 20068is movable from a deployed cutting position to a storage positionwherein the tissue cutting member 20068 is stored below the cartridgedeck surface 20043 to prevent injury when handling the fired or spentcartridge 20040. For example, a retraction member (not shown) may bestrategically located in the distal end 20044 of the cartridge body20042 to contact and move the tissue cutting member 20068 from thedeployed position to the storage position when a portion of the tissuecutting member 20068 is brought into contact with the retraction member.

FIG. 11 depicts one form of a firing member 20120. As can be seen inFIG. 11, the firing member 20120 comprises a body portion 20122 thatincludes two downwardly extending hollow mounting portions 20124 thatare unthreaded and spaced from each other to receive a threaded drivenut 20130 therebetween. The threaded drive nut 20130 is configured tothreadably engage the helical screw shaft 5036. The drive nut 20130includes a vertical tab portion 20131 that is sized to extend through anaxial slot 20025 (FIG. 10) in the bottom 20024 of the elongate channel20020. Two laterally extending retention flanges 20134 are formed on thethreaded drive nut 20130 and are configured to engage the bottom 20024of the elongate channel 20020. In addition, two laterally extendinganvil engagement tabs 20126 are formed on the top of the firing memberbody 20122 and are configured to engage corresponding ledges 20102formed in the anvil 5024 as the firing member 20120 is axially movedwithin the surgical end effector 20012.

As can also be seen in FIG. 11, the firing member 20120 may also beequipped with an onboard firing member lockout assembly 20140 thatcomprises a lockout member 20142 that is pivotally coupled to the firingmember body 20122. The lockout member 20142 includes a sled latch 20148that is configured to be engaged by the camming assembly 20060 when thecamming assembly 20060 is in an unfired position. As can be seen inFIGS. 12 and 13, the camming assembly 20060 includes a firing memberledge 20061 configured to engage the sled latch 20148 on the lockoutmember 20142. A lockout spring 20150 is mounted in the elongate channel20020 and is configured to bias the lockout member 20142 downward suchthat if the camming assembly 20060 is not in its unfired startingposition, the lockout member 20142 contacts lockout lugs 20028 that areformed on portions of the inside surface of each upstanding sidewall20022 of the elongate channel 20020. See FIG. 15. When in that position,should the user inadvertently attempt to distally advance the firingmember 20120, the lockout member 20142 contacts the lockout lugs 20028on the channel 20020 to prevent the distal advancement of the firingmember 20120.

FIG. 12 illustrates the initial insertion of a fresh unfired surgicalstaple cartridge 20040 into the channel 20020. As can be seen in FIG.12, the camming assembly 20060 is in a starting position and theproximal end portion 20046 of the surgical staple cartridge 20040 isinserted at an angle relative to the channel 20020 and then pushed inthe proximal direction PD until the firing member ledge 20061 on thecamming assembly 20060 unlockingly engages the sled latch portion 20148of the lockout member 20142. FIGS. 13 and 14 illustrate the surgicalstaple cartridge 20040 in a properly installed position. As can be seenin FIG. 13, the firing member lockout assembly 20140 is in an unlockedposition. Rotary actuation of the helical screw shaft 5036 in a firstrotary direction will cause the firing member 20120 to move distally inthe distal direction DD. As the firing member 20120 moves distally, thecamming assembly 20060 is also driven distally thereby. The cam members20066 cam the drivers stored in the cartridge 20040 upward in thecartridge body 20042. As the drivers are cammed upwardly, the staples orfasteners supported thereon are driven through the tissue that has beenclamped between the anvil 5024 and the cartridge 20040 and into formingcontact with the staple-forming undersurface 5029 on the anvil 5024. Thestapled tissue is then cut by the tissue cutting member 20068. Once thefiring member 20120 has been driven to its distalmost position in thecartridge 20040, the helical screw shaft 5036 may be rotated in a secondopposite rotary direction to retract the firing member 20120 back to itsbeginning position. The camming assembly 20060 remains in the distal endportion 20044 of the cartridge body 20042. The spent cartridge 20040 maythen be removed from the channel 20020.

FIG. 14 illustrates the end effector 20012 after the spent cartridge hasbeen removed from the channel 20020. As can be seen in FIG. 14, thespring 20150 biases the lockout member 20142 of the firing memberlockout assembly 20140 into locking engagement with the lockout lugs20028 in the channel 20020. Should the user attempt to fire the surgicalend effector 20012 (distally advance the firing member 20120), thelockout member 20142 will prevent the firing member 20120 from movingdistally. Likewise, should the user attempt to reuse the spentcartridge, because the camming assembly 20060 is not in the startingposition, the firing member lockout assembly 20140 will prevent thedistal advancement of the firing member 20120.

In the illustrated arrangement, the lockout member 20142 is pivotallycoupled to the firing member body 20122 by pivot pins 20143 that arereceived in a hole 20123 extending through the firing member body 20122.See FIGS. 14 and 16. In at least one arrangement, the pivot pins 20143are sized relative to the holes 20123 in the firing member body 20122 tofacilitate free pivotal travel of the lockout member 20142 and toaccount for tolerance differences of the components. As can be seen inFIG. 14, the firing member 20120 includes a proximally-facing, firingsurface 20145 that is configured to abut a distal-facing bearing surface20125 on the firing member body 20122 when the firing member lockoutassembly 20140 is in the unlocked position. Thus, when the firing member20120 is advanced distally, the resistive forces encountered by thecamming assembly 20060 during its distal movement are directly appliedto the distal-facing bearing surface 20125 on the firing member body20122. Such arrangement may prevent the transfer of these resistiveforces back to the pivot pins 20143, which might cause the pivot pins20143 to fail under such load. Similarly, as can be seen in FIG. 16, theproximally-facing angled bearing surface 20145 of the firing member20120 is configured to abut the distal-facing bearing surface 20125 onthe firing member body 20122 when the firing member lockout assembly20140 is in the locked position. Such arrangement may prevent thetransfer of the resistive locking forces resulting from the lockingengagement of the lockout member 20142 with the lock lugs 20028 back tothe pivot pins 20143, which might cause the pivot pins 20143 to failunder such load. The loose fit between the pins 20143 and the hole 20123in the firing member body 20122 facilitate some translation of thelockout member 20142 when under load to facilitate transfer of the loadsinto the firing member body 20122 and not to the pins 20143 themselves.

In another arrangement, or in addition to the foregoing describedlockout member 20142 arrangement, the amount of current being drawn bythe motor used to apply the rotary motions to the helical screw shaft5036 is monitored. Once the current increases beyond a predeterminedthreshold, a control circuit for the surgical instrument or roboticsystem, etc., may stop the motor to prevent any further rotation of thehelical screw shaft 5036 and movement of the firing member 20120 toprevent damage to the above-described components.

Some previous firing member lockout arrangements that are configured toprevent advancement of a firing member of the end effector unless afresh unfired staple cartridge has been properly installed in thesurgical end effector, require the user to actively retract the firingmember back to is proximal-most beginning position before the anvil ispermitted to open. If the user attempts to open the anvil before thefiring member is moved back to its proximal-most position, the may notunderstand why the anvil cannot come open. The above-describedarrangement may prevent such confusion.

FIGS. 17-21 depict a surgical end effector 20300 that may be used forexample in connection with the powered surgical instrument 1010described above. The surgical end effector 20300 may also be effectiveemployed with various other robotically powered surgical systems whichare disclosed in the various references incorporated herein byreference. Those components shown in FIGS. 17-21 that are identical tothe components of surgical instrument 1010 have been labeled with likecomponent numbers. Those construction and function of those componentsof surgical instrument 1010 that are not necessary to understand theoperation of the surgical end effector 20300 will not be repeated hereinfor the sake of brevity.

Referring to FIGS. 17-21, the surgical end effector 20300 comprises anelongate channel 20310 that is configured to operably support a surgicalstaple cartridge 20600 therein. In the illustrated example, the elongatechannel 20310 comprises a channel bottom 20312 and a pair of upstandingsidewalls 20314. The channel 20310 is coupled to the elongate shaftassembly 1200 (FIG. 5) by a channel mount feature 20340 which mayfacilitate articulation thereof about articulation joint 3020 (FIG. 5).As can be seen in FIG. 19, in one arrangement for example, the channelmount feature 20340 comprises a body portion 20342 that consists of anupstanding support 20344 that has a slot 20346 extending therethrough toreceive the firing member beam 1900 (FIG. 5) therethrough. The channelmount feature 20340 may be movably or pivotally mounted to a proximalend 20316 of the channel 20310 by a channel mount feature, or channelpin 20320. In particular, the channel mount feature 20320 furtherincludes a transverse pin opening 20348 that is configured to becoaxially aligned with holes 20318 in the sidewalls 20314 of the channel20310 to receive the channel pin 20320 therethrough.

As described above, the shaft assembly 1200 includes a spine 1210 thatterminates in an upper lug mount feature 1270 and in a lower lug mountfeature 1280. See FIG. 5. The upper lug mount feature 1270 is formedwith a lug slot 1272 therein that is adapted to mountingly support anupper mounting link 1274 therein. Similarly, the lower lug mount feature1280 is formed with a lug slot 1282 therein that is adapted tomountingly support a lower mounting link 1284 therein. The uppermounting link 1274 includes a pivot socket 1276 therein that is adaptedto rotatably receive therein a pivot pin 1292 that is formed on achannel cap or anvil retainer 1290 that is attached to the proximal endportion 20316 of the elongate channel 20310. As can be seen in FIG. 19,the channel mount feature 20340 further includes a shaft mount flange20350 that extends proximally therefrom. In one arrangement for example,the shaft mount flange 20350 has a centrally disposed pivot hole 20352therethrough that may pivotally receive the lower pivot pin 1286 on thelower mounting link 1284 of the lower lug mount feature 1280 (FIG. 5).The lower pivot pin 1286 is vertically aligned with the pivot socket1276 to define an articulation axis AA about which the surgical endeffector 20300 may articulate relative to the spine 1210. In onearrangement, the proximal articulation driver 2102 (FIG. 5) may bedirectly coupled to an articulation lug 20354 formed on the shaft mountflange 20350. In other arrangements, the proximal articulation driver2102 may be attached to one or more articulation links that are attachedto the shaft mount flange 20350. In either case, axial movement of theproximal articulation driver 2102 in the above-described manner willcause the channel mount feature to pivot about the articulation axisrelative to the spine 1210 (FIG. 5) to articulate the end effector 20300about the articulation axis AA.

The surgical end effector 20300 further comprises an anvil 20400 that isvery similar to anvil 2000 described above, except for the differencesdiscussed below. The anvil 20400 includes an elongate anvil body portion20402 that has a staple-forming undersurface 20404 and an anvil mountingportion 20410 that is configured to interact with the end effectorclosure tube 3050 (FIG. 5) in the manner described above. The anvil20400 is pivotally mounted on the elongate channel 20310 by a pair oflaterally extending anvil pins or trunnions 20412 that are received incorresponding elongate trunnion slots 20322 formed in the upstandingchannel walls 20314. Axial movement of the end effector closure tube3050 in a distal direction will cause the anvil 20400 to pivot to aclosed position about a pivot axis defined by the anvil trunnions 20412and movement of the end effector closure tube 3050 in a proximaldirection will cause the anvil to pivot to an open position relative tothe elongate channel 20310.

FIG. 22 illustrates one form of a staple cartridge 20600 that may beused in connection with the surgical end effector 20300. In at least onearrangement, the surgical staple cartridge 20600 comprises an elongatecartridge body 20602 that is sized to be removably seated in theelongate channel 20310. The cartridge body 20602 includes a cartridgeslot 20608 that extends from a proximal end portion 20604 to a distalend portion 20606 (FIG. 17) of the cartridge body 20602. The cartridgebody 20602 further comprises a cartridge deck surface 20610 thatconfronts the staple-forming undersurface 20404 of the anvil 20400 whenthe cartridge 20600 is seated in the channel 20310 and the anvil 20400is pivoted to a closed position. Also in the illustrated example, threelines of surgical staple pockets 20612 are formed on each side of thecartridge slot 20608 and open through the cartridge deck surface 20610.Each staple pocket 20612 may have a staple driver (not shown) associatedtherewith that supports a surgical staple or fastener (not shown)thereon. In at least one example, the cartridge body 20602 is moldedfrom a polymer material with the staple pockets 20612 molded or machinedtherein. In one arrangement, the staple pockets 20612 also open througha bottom of the cartridge body 20602 to facilitate installation of thedrivers and fasteners into their respective pockets 20612. Once thedrivers and fasteners are inserted into their respective staple pockets20612, a cartridge pan 20620 is attached to the bottom of the cartridgebody 20602. In one form, the cartridge pan 20620 is fabricated from ametal material and includes a bottom 20622 that spans across the bottomof the cartridge body 20602 and two upstanding sidewalls 20624 thatcorrespond to each side of the cartridge body 20602. The cartridge pan20620 may be removably affixed to the cartridge body 20602 by a seriesof hooks 20626 that are formed on the sidewalls 20624 and configured tohookingly engage corresponding portions of the cartridge body 20602. SeeFIG. 22. When installed, the cartridge pan 20620 may, among otherthings, prevent the drivers and fasteners from falling out of the bottomof the cartridge body 20602 during handling and installation of thecartridge 20600 into the elongate channel 20310.

As was discussed above in connection with cartridge 20040, cartridge20600 operably supports a camming assembly therein. The camming assemblycomprises a series of spaced cam members that are configured to moveaxially within corresponding cam slots 20609 formed on each side of thecartridge slot 20608 in the cartridge body 20602. The cam slots 20609are aligned with corresponding lines of drivers in the cartridge body20602 to facilitate camming contact with a corresponding cam member asthe camming assembly is driven through the staple cartridge 20600 from abeginning position within the proximal end portion 20604 of thecartridge body 20602 to an ending position within the distal end portion20606.

The example illustrated in FIGS. 20 and 21 also employs a firing member20500 that is attached to a distal end of the firing member beam 1900and is configured to operably interface with the camming assembly in thestaple cartridge 20600 to driven the camming assembly from its startingposition to its ending position within the cartridge 20600. In at leastone arrangement, the firing member 20500 is configured to interact witha camming assembly (not shown) in a staple cartridge 20600 that has beenproperly installed in the elongate channel 20310. For example, thefiring member 20500 includes a firing member body 20502 that has atissue cutting surface or blade 20504 formed thereon or attachedthereto. The firing member body 20502 is sized to axially move within anaxial anvil slot (not shown) in the anvil 20400 as well as the cartridgeslot 20608 in the cartridge body 20602 and a channel slot (not shown) inthe elongate channel 20310. A lower foot assembly 20506 that comprises apair of laterally extending lower flanges 20508 extends from a bottomend of the firing member body 20502 to slidably engage correspondingchannel ledges (not shown) that are formed on each side of the channelslot. An upper foot (not shown) that comprises two laterally extendinganvil tabs may be formed on an upper end of the firing member body 20502and is configured to slidably engage anvil ledges (not shown) that areformed on each side of the anvil slot. In at least one arrangement, thefiring member 20500 further includes a pair of central tabs 20510 thatextend laterally from each side of the firing member body 20502.

Still referring to FIGS. 20 and 21, in one arrangement, the firingmember body 20502 is configured with a proximally extending spring tail20512 that may be configured to operably interface with a firing memberlockout spring 20520 that is mounted in the elongate channel 20310 andis configured to bias the firing member 20500 downward (arrow DN) in theelongate channel 20310 into a locked position. When in the lockedposition, the firing member foot 20506 and/or the central tabs 20510 aremisaligned with corresponding passages in the channel 20310 and as such,should the user attempt to distally advance the firing member 20500 whenin that locked out state, the firing member 20500 would not movedistally due to such misalignment. That is, the foot 20506 and/orcentral tabs 20510 contact portions of the elongate channel to therebyprevent the distal advancement of the firing member 20500. In onearrangement, a sled latch 20514 is formed on the firing member body20502 and is configured to be engaged by a corresponding portion formedon a camming assembly that is operably supported in the surgical staplecartridge 20600. When a fresh unfired staple cartridge 20600 with thecamming assembly thereof in its starting position has been operablyinstalled in the elongate channel 20310, a portion of the cammingassembly engages the sled latch 20514 on the firing member body 20502and moves the firing member 20500 upward (arrow UP in FIG. 20) into anunlocked position wherein the lower foot assembly 20506 and/or thecentral tabs 20510 are aligned with their respective passages in thechannel 20310 to permit the firing member 20500 to axially advancetherein. As the user distally advances the firing member 20500 into thecartridge 20600, the firing member 20500 also drives the cammingassembly therein which cams the drivers upward to drive the staples orfasteners supported thereon into forming contact with the underside ofthe anvil. The tissue cutting member 20504 on the firing member 20500then cuts through the stapled tissue. Once the firing member 20500 hasbeen driven to its distal-most position corresponding to the endingposition of the camming assembly, the firing member 20500 is retractedback to its proximal-most position, leaving the camming assembly in thedistal end 20606 of the cartridge 20600. When the firing member 20500returns to its proximal-most beginning position, the firing memberlockout spring 20520 once again biases the firing member 20500 back intoits locked position. Thus, should the user inadvertently try to reusethe spent cartridge 20600, the camming assembly is not in its startingposition which is required to unlock the firing member 20500.

The surgical end effector 20300 may also employ a closure lockout system20700 for preventing the anvil 20400 from being moved from an openposition to a closed (clamped) position unless a correspondingcompatible surgical staple cartridge 20600 has been operably installedin the elongate channel 20310. In the illustrated example, the closurelockout system 20700 comprises an anvil lock 20702 that is configured tomove between an anvil locked position and an anvil unlocked position inresponse to installation of a staple cartridge 20600 therein. FIG. 19illustrates one form of an anvil lock 20702. The anvil lock 20702 may befabricated from spring steel or other suitable metal and include aproximal biasing arm 20704 that may be configured to be seated in atransverse spring mounting slot 20343 provided in the body portion 20342of the channel mount feature 20340. The anvil lock 20702 furtherincludes a distally extending body portion 20706 that has a downwardlyextending mounting tab 20708 and an upwardly extending anvil lockout tab20710 protruding therefrom. As can be seen in FIGS. 17, 18, and 20 themounting tab 20708 extends into a clearance window 20319 that is formedin the elongate channel 20310.

FIG. 19 illustrates the surgical end effector 20300 without a surgicalstaple cartridge installed therein. As can be seen in FIG. 19, theproximal biasing arm 20704 has biased the anvil lock 20702 in the distal“anvil locked” position. When in this position, the anvil lockout tab20710 is aligned with a portion of an anvil lock lug 20414 that isformed on the anvil mounting portion 20410 of the anvil 20400. Shouldthe user attempt to close the anvil 20400, the anvil lock lug 20414 willcontact the anvil lockout tab 20710 to thereby prevent any furthertravel of the anvil 20400 in the closure direction.

Returning to FIG. 21, in at least one arrangement, the staple cartridge20600 includes an anvil unlocking feature or tab 20630 that protrudesproximally from the cartridge body 20602 and is aligned to unlockinglyengage an actuation tab 20712 that is formed on the distal end of theanvil lock 20702 when the cartridge 20600 has been operably installed inthe elongate channel 20310. FIG. 20 depicts the surgical staplecartridge 20600 operably installed in the elongate channel 20310. As canbe seen in FIG. 21, the anvil unlocking tab 20630 on the staplecartridge body 20602 has contacted the actuation tab 20712 of the anvillockout 20702 and biased the anvil lockout 20702 in the proximaldirection PD to an unlocked position, wherein the anvil lockout tab20710 is no longer aligned with the anvil lock lug 20414 on the anvil20400. When in that position, the user may pivot the anvil 20400 to aclosed position. Should the user attempt to install an inappropriatecartridge that lacks the anvil unlocking tab 20630 or similar featuredesigned to unlocking engage the anvil lockout 20702, the user will beunable to close the anvil 20400 to complete the surgical staplingprocedure.

FIG. 23 illustrates an alternative closure lockout system 20700′ forpreventing an anvil 20400′ of a surgical end effector 20300′ from beingmoved from an open position to a closed (clamped) position unless acorresponding proper surgical staple cartridge 20600′ has been operablyinstalled in the corresponding elongate channel (not shown). Thesurgical end effector 20300′ is substantially identical to surgical endeffector 20300 described above, except for the differences discussedbelow. The closure lockout system 20700′ comprises an anvil lockout20702′ that is substantially identical to anvil lockout 20702 describedabove, except for the following differences. For example, the anvillockout 20702 may be fabricated from spring steel or other suitablemetal and include a distally extending body portion 20706′ that has aspring portion 20707′ formed therein. A proximal end of the anvillockout 20702′ has an anchor tab 20703′ formed thereon that serves tocouple the anvil lockout 20702′ to the channel mount feature 20340 (FIG.19). Additionally, the body portion 20706′ includes a downwardlyextending mounting tab 20708′ and an upwardly extending anvil lockouttab 20710′ that protrudes therefrom. An actuation tab 20712′ is formedon the distal end of the body portion 20706′.

The surgical staple cartridge 20600′ is similar to the surgical staplecartridge 20600 described above and includes a cartridge body 20602′that is sized to be removably seated in the elongate channel 20310. Thecartridge body 20602′ includes a cartridge slot 20608′ that extends froma proximal end portion 20604′ to a distal end portion of the cartridgebody 20602′. The cartridge body 20602′ further comprises a cartridgedeck surface 20610′ and three lines of surgical staple pockets 20612′located on each side of the cartridge slot 20608′. As can be seen inFIG. 23, the staple pockets 20612′, as well as the staples or fastenerstherein (not shown) are aligned on pocket axes PA′ that are parallel tothe cartridge slot 20608′. Thus, the staples/fasteners are applied inlines that are approximately parallel to the cartridge slot 20608′ andthe tissue cutline. Like surgical staple cartridge 20600, surgicalstaple cartridge 20600′ includes a cartridge pan 20624′ and an anvilunlocking feature or tab 20630′ that protrudes proximally from thecartridge body 20602′.

Still referring to FIG. 23, the anvil 20400′ is similar to anvil 20400,except for the differences discussed below. The anvil 20400′ includes anelongate anvil body portion 20402′ and an anvil mounting portion 20410′that is configured to interact with the end effector closure tube 3050(FIG. 5) in the manner described above. The anvil body portion 20402′includes a staple-forming undersurface 20404′ that is bisected by ananvil slot 20405′ that is configured to accommodate passage of thefiring member 20500 therethrough. As can be seen in FIG. 23, thestaple-forming undersurface 20404′ comprises three lines ofstaple-forming pockets 20407′ that are arranged on forming pocket axesFPA that are a parallel with the anvil slot 20405′. When the anvil20400′ is moved to a closed position, the anvil slot 20405′ isvertically aligned with the cartridge slot 20608′ to permit passage ofthe firing member 20500 therethrough. The lines of staple-formingpockets 20407′ are aligned with the staple pockets 20612′ such that asthe staples are driven from the cartridge 20600′, they contact acorresponding pair of staple-forming pockets 20407′ to be crimped. Thus,the array of staple-forming pockets in the anvil 20400′ must correspondto the array of staple pockets 20612′ in the cartridge 20600′ to ensurethat the staples are properly formed. As can be further seen in FIG. 23,in this arrangement, the anvil 20400′ includes a downwardly extendinganvil lock lug 20414′ that is formed distal to the anvil mountingportion 20410′ but is otherwise configured to contact the anvil lockouttab 20710′ when the anvil lockout 20702′ is in the locked position(e.g., no cartridge has been inserted into the channel 20310 or animproper cartridge has been seated in the channel 20310). When thecartridge 20600′ has been properly seated in the elongate channel 20310,the anvil unlocking feature 20630′ thereon contacts the actuation tab20712′ on the anvil lockout 20702′ to bias the lockout 20702′ proximallyinto the unlocked position wherein the anvil lockout tab 20710′ is outof locking alignment with the anvil lock lug 20414′ to permit the anvil20400′ to be pivoted to the closed position.

FIG. 24 illustrates an alternative closure lockout system 20700″ forpreventing an anvil 20400″ of another surgical end effector 20300″ frombeing moved from an open position to a closed (clamped) position unlessa compatible surgical staple cartridge 20600″ has been operablyinstalled in the elongate channel 20310. The surgical end effector20300″ is substantially identical to surgical end effector 20300described above, except for the differences discussed below. The closurelockout system 20700″ comprises an anvil lockout 20702″ that issubstantially identical to anvil lockout 20702 described above, exceptfor the following differences. For example, the anvil lockout 20702″ maybe fabricated from spring steel or other suitable metal and include adistally extending body portion 20706″ that has a spring portion 20707″formed therein. A proximal end of the anvil lockout 20702″ has an anchortab 20703″ formed thereon that serves to couple the anvil lockout 20702″to the channel mount feature 20340 (FIG. 19). Additionally, the bodyportion 20706″ includes a downwardly extending mounting tab 20708″ andan upwardly extending anvil lockout tab 20710″ that protrudes therefrom.An actuation tab 20712″ is formed on the distal end of the body portion20706″.

The surgical staple cartridge 20600″ is similar to the surgical staplecartridge 20600 described above and includes a cartridge body 20602″that is sized to be removably seated in the elongate channel 20310. Thecartridge body 20602″ includes a cartridge slot 20608″ that extends froma proximal end portion 20604″ to a distal end portion of the cartridgebody 20602″. The cartridge body 20602″ further comprises a cartridgedeck surface 20610″ and two lines of surgical staple pockets 20612″located on each side of the cartridge slot 20608″. As can be seen inFIG. 24, the staple pockets 20612″, as well as the staples or fastenerstherein (not shown), are aligned on pocket axes PA″ that are transverseto the cartridge slot 20608″. Thus, the staples/fasteners are applied inlines that are approximately transverse to the cartridge slot 20608″ andthe tissue cutline. Such arrangements of fasteners create “flexible” or“stretchable” staple lines. Further details regarding cartridges fordeveloping flexible or stretchable lines of staples may be found in U.S.patent application Ser. No. 14/498,121, entitled FASTENER CARTRIDGE FORCREATING A FLEXIBLE STAPLE LINE, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,801,627, the entiredisclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein. Likesurgical staple cartridge 20600, surgical staple cartridge 20600″includes a cartridge pan 20624″ and an anvil unlocking feature or tab20630″ that protrudes proximally from the cartridge body 20602′.

Still referring to FIG. 24, the anvil 20400″ is similar to anvil 20400,except for the differences discussed below. The anvil 20400″ includes anelongate anvil body portion 20402″ and an anvil mounting portion 20410″that is configured to interact with the end effector closure tube 3050(FIG. 5) in the manner described above. The anvil body portion 20402″includes a staple-forming undersurface 20404″ that is bisected by ananvil slot 20405″ that is configured to accommodate passage of thefiring member 20500 therethrough. As can be seen in FIG. 24, thestaple-forming undersurface 20404″ comprises lines of staple-formingpockets 20407″ that are arranged on forming pocket axes FPA that aretransverse to the anvil slot 20405″. When the anvil 20400″ is moved to aclosed position, the anvil slot 20405″ is vertically aligned with thecartridge slot 20608″ to permit passage of the firing member 20500therethrough. The lines of staple-forming pockets 20407″ are alignedwith the staple pockets 20612″ such that as the staples are driven fromthe surgical staple cartridge 20600″, they contact a corresponding pairof forming pockets 20407″ to be crimped. Thus, the array ofstaple-forming pockets 20407″ in the anvil 20400″ must correspond to thearray of staple pockets 20612″ in the cartridge 20600″ to ensure thatthe staples are properly formed. As can be further seen in FIG. 24, inthis arrangement, the anvil 20400″ includes a downwardly extending anvillock lug 20414″ that is formed or attached to the anvil mounting portion20410″ and is configured to contact the anvil lockout tab 20710″ whenthe anvil lockout 20702″ is in the locked position (e.g., no cartridgehas been inserted into the channel 20310 or an improper cartridge isinserted in the channel 20310). When the cartridge 20600″ has beenproperly seated in the elongate channel 20310, the anvil unlockingfeature 20630″ thereon contacts the actuation tab 20712″ on the anvillockout 20702″ to bias the anvil lockout 20702″ proximally into theunlocked position wherein the anvil lockout tab 20710″ is out of lockingalignment with the anvil lock lug 20414″ to permit the anvil 20400″ tobe pivoted close.

As was discussed above, various surgical staple cartridges may havedifferent arrays of and/or orientations of staples/fasteners therein.The sizes of the staples or fasteners, as well as the number offasteners may vary from cartridge type to cartridge type depending upona particular surgical procedure or application. To ensure that thestaples are properly crimped or formed, the surgical staple cartridgesmust be used in connection with corresponding anvils that have theproper array of staple-forming pockets therein. Should a“non-compatible” cartridge be loaded into an end effector that has ananvil that is mismatched to the cartridge, the staples may not beproperly formed during the firing process which could lead tocatastrophic results. For example, the surgical staple cartridge 20600′depicted in FIG. 23 is matched to or “compatible with” the anvil 20400′shown in FIG. 23. The surgical staple cartridge 20600″ shown in FIG. 24is matched to or compatible with the anvil 20400″ shown in FIG. 24.However, the surgical staple cartridge 20600″ of FIG. 24 is incompatiblewith the anvil 20400′ shown in FIG. 23, for example.

The closure lockout systems employed in the examples described above mayavoid the activation of a mismatched cartridge that has otherwise beenloaded into the end effector. For example, the anvil unlocking featureor tab 20630′ on the staple cartridge 20600′ is located on the left sideof the cartridge slot 20608′ and is positioned to contact the actuatortab 20712′ on the anvil lockout spring 20707′ when the cartridge 20600′is properly loaded in the channel 20310 of end effector 20300′.Conversely, the anvil unlocking feature or tab 20630″ on the cartridge20600″ is located on the right side of the cartridge slot 20608″ andaligned to contact the actuator tab 20712″ on the anvil lockout 20702″when the cartridge 20600″ is properly loaded in the channel 20310.Should the user load cartridge 20600″ into the channel 20310 of the endeffector 20300′, anvil unlocking feature or tab 20630″ on the staplecartridge 20600″ will not contact the he actuator tab 20712′ on theanvil lockout 20702′ to move it into the unlocked position and the userwill be unable to pivot the anvil 20400′ closed. Likewise, should theuser load cartridge 20600′ into the channel of the end effector 20300″,anvil unlocking feature or tab 20630′ on the staple cartridge 20600′will not contact the he actuator tab 20712″ on the anvil lockout 20702″to move it into the unlocked position and the user will be unable topivot the anvil 20400″ closed. If the user unwittingly loads anothercartridge that lacks the proper anvil unlocking feature or tab thatcorresponds to the anvil lockout in the end effector, the user will beunable to close the anvil. The location, shape, length, etc. of theanvil unlocking feature(s) or tab(s) on a surgical staple cartridge mayvary from cartridge type to cartridge type and be interrelated to theactuator member (size, location, shape, number, etc.) on the correspondanvil lockout located in a corresponding surgical end effector. Forexample, the anvil unlocking feature or tab may be integrally formed onthe cartridge body, be machined or molded into the cartridge body, beattached to the cartridge body, be attached to or integrally formed onthe camming assembly of the cartridge or comprise a portion of thecartridge pan, for example. All such variations are contemplated hereinand are intended to be encompassed by the appended claims.

FIGS. 25-29 illustrate a surgical end effector 21300 that is verysimilar to the surgical end effectors 20300, 20300′, 20300″ describedabove, except for the differences discussed below. In this embodiment,for example, the end effector 21300 comprises an elongate channel 21310that is configured to operably support a surgical staple cartridge 21600therein. In the illustrated example, the elongate channel 21310comprises a channel bottom 21312 and a pair of upstanding sidewalls21314. Although not shown, the channel 21310 may be coupled to theelongate shaft assembly 1200 (FIG. 5) by a channel mount feature 20340(described above) which may facilitate articulation thereof aboutarticulation joint 3020 (FIG. 5). The surgical end effector 21300further comprises an anvil 21400 that may be very similar to anvil 20400described above, except for the differences discussed below. The anvil21400 includes an elongate anvil body portion 21402 that has astaple-forming undersurface and an anvil mounting portion 21410 that isconfigured to interact with an end effector closure tube 3050 (FIG. 5)in the manner described above. The anvil 21400 is pivotally mounted onthe elongate channel 21310 by a pair of laterally extending anvil pinsor trunnions 21412 that are received in corresponding elongate trunnionslots 21320 that are formed in the upstanding channel walls 21314. Axialmovement of the end effector closure tube 3050 in a distal directionwill cause the anvil 21400 to translate distally until the trunnions21412 contact the distal ends of their respective trunnion slots 21320and pivot to a closed position. Conversely, movement of the end effectorclosure tube 3050 in a proximal direction will cause the anvil 21400 topivot to an open position relative to the elongate channel 21310.

The end effector 21300 is configured to operably support a surgicalstaple cartridge 21600 that may be substantially the same as thesurgical staple cartridge 20600, except that the anvil unlocking featureor tab 21630 comprises a portion of the cartridge pan 21620. The anvilunlocking feature 21630 is configured to operably interact with anaxially movable anvil lock 21702 that is supported by the channel 21310.Turning to FIG. 27, the anvil lock 21702 is supported for axial movementbetween a distal locked position and a proximal locked position by aguide block 21720 that is attached to a portion of the channel 21310. Inone example, anvil lock 21702 may be formed from metal and the guideblock 21720 may be fabricated from 40% carbon filled Nylon 6/6 and beattached to the sidewall of 21314 of the channel 21310 by appropriateadhesive or other fastening means. The guide block 21720 may define aguide channel 21722 that is configured to support a locking tab portion21710 of the anvil lock 21702. The anvil lock 21702 additionallycomprises a vertical body portion 21706 that has an actuation tab 21712formed on a distal end thereof. The anvil lock 21702 is biased to adistal locked position by an extension spring 21730 that is attached tothe anvil lock 21702 and the channel sidewall 21314. When no cartridgeis present, the extension spring 21730 biases the anvil lock 21702 intoa distal locked position wherein the locking tab portion 21710 contactsa portion of the anvil 21400 to prevent the anvil 21400 from pivoting toa closed position. When a proper or compatible cartridge 21600 is loadedinto the elongate channel 21310, the unlocking feature or tab 21630 ofthe cartridge pan 21620 contacts the actuation tab 21712 on the anvillock 21702 to move the anvil lock 21702 proximally into an unlockedposition wherein the locking tab portion 21710 of the anvil lock 21702no longer prevents pivotal motion of the anvil 21400. As can be seen inFIG. 25, the anvil unlocking feature 21630 of the surgical staplecartridge 21600 is “asymmetric” in design. That is, the anvil unlockingfeature 21630 is only located on one side of a proximal end of thecartridge 21600. FIG. 25 illustrates an old relief area 21315 that ispresent in previous channel arrangements and new relief areas 21317,21319 that are provided in the channel 21310 to accommodate cartridge21600 therein.

FIG. 30 illustrates portions of a surgical end effector 21300′ that isidentical to end effector 21300, except that the end effector 21300′employs an anvil lock 21702′ as depicted in FIGS. 31 and 32. In oneexample, the anvil lock 21702′ may be fabricated from 40% carbon filledNylon 6/6 and include a vertical body portion 21706′ that has a lockingportion 21710′ formed on the upper end thereof. An actuation tab 21712′is formed on a distal end and a gusset 21714′ is also employed toprovide additional support to the actuation tab 21712′. As discussedabove, when a proper or compatible surgical staple cartridge 21600 isloaded into the elongate channel 21310, the unlocking feature or tab21630 of the cartridge pan 21620 contacts the actuation tab 21712′ onthe anvil lock 21702′ to move the anvil lock 21702′ proximally into anunlocked position wherein the locking portion 21710′ of the anvil lock21702′ no longer prevents pivotal motion of the anvil 21400.

FIG. 33 illustrates another surgical end effector 22300 that employs ananvil lockout system 22700. The end effector 22300 is similar to the endeffector 20300 described above, except for the noted differences. Inthis embodiment, the end effector 22300 comprises an elongate channel22310 that is configured to operably support a surgical staple cartridge22600 therein. In the illustrated example, the elongate channel 22310comprises a channel bottom 22312 and a pair of upstanding sidewalls22314. Although not shown, the channel 22310 may be coupled to theelongate shaft assembly 1200 (FIG. 5) by a channel mount feature 20340(described above) which may facilitate articulation thereof aboutarticulation joint 3020 (FIG. 5). The surgical end effector 22300further comprises an anvil 22400 that is very similar to anvil 20400described above, except for the differences discussed below. The anvil22400 includes an elongate anvil body portion 22402 and an anvilmounting portion 22410 that is configured to interact with an endeffector closure tube 3050 (FIG. 5) in the manner described above. Theanvil 22400 is pivotally mounted on the elongate channel 22310 by a pairof laterally extending anvil pins or trunnions 22412 that are receivedin corresponding elongate trunnion slots 22320 formed in the upstandingchannel sidewalls 22314. Axial movement of the end effector closure tube3050 in a distal direction will cause the anvil trunnions 22412 totranslate distally up the trunnion slots 22320 to pivot the anvil 22400to a closed position. Conversely, movement of the end effector closuretube 3050 in a proximal direction will cause the anvil 22400 to pivot toan open position relative to the elongate channel 22310.

The end effector 22300 is configured to operably support a surgicalstaple cartridge 22600 that may be substantially the same as thesurgical staple cartridge 20600, except that the anvil unlocking featureor tab 22630 is formed on a right side of a proximal end proximal endportion 22604 of the cartridge body 22602 and has a contoured proximalend surface 22632. In the illustrated example, the contoured proximalend surface 22632 has an arcuate shape. The anvil unlocking feature22630 is configured to operably interact with an axially movable anvillock 22702 of the anvil lockout system 22700 that is supported by thechannel 22310. In the illustrated example, the anvil lock 22702 issupported for axial movement between a distal locked position and aproximal unlocked position within a proximal end portion 22316 of theelongate channel 22310. In the illustrated example, the anvil lock 22702comprises an elongate body portion 22706 that has an anvil lock tab22710 formed on a proximal end thereof and configured to lockinglyinteract with a lock lug 22413 formed on the anvil mounting portion22410 of the anvil 22400. See FIG. 33. An actuation tab 22712 is formedon a distal end of the body portion 22706. The actuation tab 22712 has acontoured actuation surface 22714 formed therein that is configured tosubstantially match or mate with the contoured proximal end surface22632 on the anvil unlocking feature 22630. See FIG. 34.

In at least one arrangement, a spring or biasing member 22730 (leafspring, coil spring, etc.) may be attached to or mounted within thechannel 22310 and configured to bias the anvil lock 22702 in the distaldirection DD to the locked position wherein the anvil lock tab 22710thereon is in blocking alignment with the lock lug 22413 on the anvilmounting portion 22410 to prevent closing of the anvil 22400. When aproper or compatible surgical staple cartridge 22600 is operably loadedinto the channel 22310, the anvil unlocking feature or tab 22630 isbrought into engagement with the contoured surface 22714 on theactuation tab 22712 of the anvil lock 22702. The surgical staplecartridge 22600 is then moved proximally to seat the cartridge 22600within the channel 22310. As the surgical staple cartridge 22600 ismoved proximally, the anvil unlocking feature 22630 contacts theactuation tab 22712 of the anvil lock 22702 and biases the anvil lock22702 proximally into the unlocked position wherein the anvil lock tab22710 thereon is moved out of blocking alignment with the lock lug 22413on the anvil mounting portion 22410 to permit the anvil 22400 to pivotclosed. When the surgical staple cartridge 22600 is removed from thechannel 22310, the spring 22730 biases the anvil lock 22702 distallyback to the locked position. FIG. 35 illustrates that the contouredproximal end 22632 of the anvil unlocking feature 22630 formed on aright side of the proximal end portion 22604 of the cartridge body 22602and the matching contoured surface 22714 on the actuation tab 22712 ofthe anvil lock 22702 enable the cartridge 22600 to facilitate unlockinginteraction between the unlocking feature 22630 and actuation tab 22712even when the cartridge is installed at an installation angle IArelative to the central axis EA of the end effector 22300. See FIG. 35.

FIG. 36 illustrates the attempted use of an incompatible cartridge22600X that lacks an unlocking feature to move the anvil lock 22702 fromthe locked position to the unlocked position. As can be seen in FIG. 36,the lockout tab 22710 is in blocking alignment with the lock lug 22413on the anvil 22400 to thereby prevent the anvil 22400 from being closedeven after the cartridge 22600X has been seated in the channel 22310.

FIG. 37 illustrates another surgical end effector 22300′ that issubstantially identical to surgical end effector 22300 described above,except for the noted differences. The end effector 22300′ is configuredto operably support a staple cartridge 22600′ that is substantially thesame as cartridge 20600 and includes an anvil unlocking feature or tab22630′ that has a contoured proximal end surface 22632′. In theillustrated example, the anvil lock 22702′ comprises an elongate bodyportion 22706′ that has an anvil lock tab 22710′ formed on a proximalend 22711′ thereof and configured to lockingly interact with a lock lug22413′ formed on the anvil mounting portion 22410 of the anvil 22400. Adistal end 22712′ of the anvil lock 22702′ includes a contouredactuation surface 22714′ formed therein that is configured tosubstantially match or mate with the contoured proximal end surface22632′ on the anvil unlocking feature 22630′ in the manners describedabove. A spring or biasing member 22730′ (leaf spring, coil spring,etc.) may be attached to or mounted within the channel 22310′ andconfigured to bias the anvil lock 22702′ in the distal direction DD tothe locked position wherein the anvil lock tab 22710′ thereon is inblocking alignment with the lock lug 22413′ on the anvil mountingportion 22410 to prevent closing of the anvil 22400.

When a proper or compatible surgical staple cartridge 22600′ is operablyloaded into the channel 22310′, the anvil unlocking feature or tab22630′ is brought into engagement with the contoured surface 22714′ ofthe anvil lock 22702′. The cartridge 22600′ is then moved proximally ina proximal direction PD to seat the cartridge 22600′ within the channel22310′. As the cartridge 22600′ is moved proximally, the anvil unlockingfeature 22630′ contacts the distal end of the anvil lock 22702′ andbiases the anvil lock 22702′ proximally into the unlocked positionwherein the anvil lock tab 22710′ thereon is moved out of blockingalignment with the lock lug 22413′ on the anvil mounting portion 22410to permit the anvil 22400 to pivot closed. When the cartridge 22600′ isremoved from the channel 22310′, the spring 22730′ biases the anvil lock22702′ distally back to the locked position. As can be seen in FIG. 37,when compared to anvil lock 22702 described above, the anvil lock 22702′has a more robust body portion 22706′. In at least one example, aclearance notch 22709′ is provided in the body portion 22706′ to providesufficient clearance for the lock lug 22413′ when the anvil 22400 ispivoted to the closed position. In addition, a channel stop 22313′ isformed on a bottom 22312′ of the channel 22310′ and is configured forcontact with the proximal end 22711′ of the anvil lock 22702′ when theanvil lock 22702′ is in the unlocked position to prevent the anvil lock22702′ from moving any further proximally to ensure that the lock lug22413′ remains aligned with the clearance notch 22709′ in the anvil lock22702′ during closing of the anvil 22400.

FIG. 38 illustrates another surgical end effector 22300″ that issubstantially identical to surgical end effector 22300 described above,except for the noted differences. The end effector 22300″ comprises anelongate channel 22310″ that includes an anvil 22400″ that is pivotallysupported thereon. The channel 22310″ is configured to operably supporta surgical staple cartridge 22600 that is compatible with thestaple-forming undersurface of the anvil 22400″ and employs an anvillocking system 22700″ that is configured to prevent closure of the anvil22400″ unless a surgical staple cartridge 22600 has been operablyinstalled in the end effector 22300″. In the illustrated example, theanvil locking system 22700″ includes an anvil lock 22702″ that comprisesa body portion 22706″ that has a distal end portion 22712″ that ishigher than a proximal portion of the body 22706″. When the anvil lock22702″ is in its distal-most locked position, a portion of the anvil22400″ contacts the higher distal end portion 22712″ to prevent theanvil 22400″ from being closed. The distal end portion 22712″ of theanvil lock 22702″ includes a contoured actuation surface 22714″ that isconfigured to substantially match or mate with the contoured proximalend surface 22632 on the anvil unlocking feature 22630 formed on thecartridge 22600 in the manners described above. A spring or biasingmember 22730″ (leaf spring, coil spring, etc.) may be attached to ormounted within the channel 22310″ and be configured to bias the anvillock 22702″ in the distal direction DD to the locked position whereinthe distal end portion 22712″ is in blocking alignment withcorresponding portion of the anvil 22400″ to prevent closing of theanvil 22400″.

When a proper or compatible surgical staple cartridge 22600 is operablyloaded into the channel 22310″, the anvil unlocking feature 22630 on thecartridge 22600 is brought into engagement with the contoured surface22714″ on the distal end 22712″ of the anvil lock 22702″. The cartridge22600 is then moved proximally to seat the cartridge 22600 within thechannel 22310″. As the cartridge 22600 is moved proximally, the anvilunlocking feature 22630 contacts the distal end 22712″ of the anvil lock22702″ and biases the anvil lock 22702″ proximally into the unlockedposition wherein the distal end portion 22712″ is moved out of blockingalignment with the corresponding portion of the anvil 22400″ to permitthe anvil 22400″ to pivot to a closed position. When the cartridge 22600is removed from the channel 22310″, the spring 22730″ biases the anvillock 22702″ distally back to the locked position. As can also be seen inFIG. 38, a channel stop 22313″ is formed on a bottom 22312″ of thechannel 22310″ and is configured for contact with a proximal end 22711″of the anvil lock 22702″ to prevent the cartridge 22600 from beinginserted too far proximally into the end effector 22300″.

FIGS. 39 and 40 illustrate another surgical end effector 23300 that issimilar to the other surgical end effectors described herein with theexception of the various differences noted below. The end effector 23300comprises an elongate channel 23310 that includes an anvil 23400 that ispivotally supported thereon. The channel 23310 is configured to operablysupport a surgical staple cartridge 22600 that is compatible to thestaple-forming undersurface of the anvil 23400 and employs an anvillocking system 23700 that is configured to prevent closure of the anvil23400 unless a cartridge 22600 has been operably installed in the endeffector 23300. In the illustrated example, anvil locking system 23700comprises an anvil lock 23702 comprising a body portion 23706 that has adistal end portion 23712. The distal end portion 23712 of the anvil lock23702 includes a contoured actuation surface 23714 that is configured tosubstantially match or mate with the contoured proximal end surface22632 on the anvil unlocking feature 22630 that is formed on thecartridge 22600 in the manners described above. A spring or biasingmember 23730 is mounted within the channel 23310 and is configured tobias the anvil lock 23702 in the distal direction DD to a “locked”position.

In the illustrated example, the anvil 23400 includes an elongate anvilbody 23402 that an anvil mounting portion 23410 that is configured tointeract with the end effector closure tube 3050 (FIG. 5) in the mannerdescribed above. The anvil 23400 is pivotally mounted on the elongatechannel 22310 by a pair of laterally extending trunnion formations 23412that are received in corresponding trunnion slots 23320 formed inupstanding sidewalls of the channel 23310. At least one trunnionformation 23412 comprises a laterally protruding actuator lobe 23414that defines an actuator ledge 23416. A trunnion pin 23418 protrudesoutwardly from the actuator lobe 23414 and is sized to translate andpivot within a corresponding trunnion slot 23320.

As can be seen in FIG. 39, at least one trunnion slot 23320 comprises anarcuate actuation portion 23322 and a locking offset portion 23324 thatis formed at a proximal end 23321 of the trunnion slot 23320. FIG. 39illustrates insertion of a cartridge 22600 into the elongate channel23310. To install a cartridge 22600 into the elongate channel 23310, theanvil 23400 is first moved to an open position. This may be accomplishedby actuating the closure system to move the end effector closure tube3050 (FIG. 5) in a proximal direction PD. As the closure tube 3050 ismoved proximally, it interacts with an opening tab 23411 formed on theanvil mounting portion 23410. As the closure tube 3050 interacts withthe anvil mounting portion 23410, the anvil 23400 translates proximallyand starts to pivot open which results in the trunnion formation 23412translating down the arcuate actuation portion 23322 of thecorresponding trunnion slot 23320 and into the proximal end 23321 of thetrunnion slots 23320 when the anvil 23400 reaches its fully openposition.

During installation of a proper or compatible surgical staple cartridge22600 into the channel 23310, the anvil unlocking feature or tab 22630is brought into engagement with the contoured surface 23714 on thedistal end 23712 of the anvil lock 23702. The cartridge 22600 is thenmoved proximally to seat the cartridge 22600 within the channel 22310.As the cartridge 22600 is moved proximally, the anvil unlocking feature22630 contacts the distal end 23712 of the anvil lock 23702 and biasesthe anvil lock 23702 proximally an unlocking distance UD to bring aproximal end 23710 of the anvil lock body 23706 into engagement withactuator lobe 23414 on at least one trunnion formation 23412 to move thetrunnion formation 23412 into a position wherein the trunnion formation23412 can translate up the arcuate actuation portion 23322 of thecorresponding trunnion slot 23320 when a closing motion is applied tothe anvil mounting portion 23410. Stated another way, the proximal end23710 of the anvil lock 23702 prevents the trunnion formation 23412 fromentering the locking offset portion 23324 formed at the proximal end23321 of the trunnion slot 23320 to enable the trunnion formation 23412to progress into the arcuate actuation portion 23322 of the trunnionslot 23320.

FIG. 40 illustrates an attempted insertion of an incompatible cartridge22600X that lacks the requisite unlocking feature or tab 22630 to movethe anvil lock 23702 out of the distal locked position. If the usernonetheless seats the incompatible cartridge 22600X in the channel 23310and then attempts to close the anvil 23400, the anvil locking system23700 will prevent closure of the anvil 23400. For example, to close theanvil 23400, the closure system is activated to move the closure tube(or other closure member) distally into operably contact with the anvilmounting portion 23410 of the anvil 23400 to apply closure motionsthereto. The initial application of closure motions to the anvilmounting portion 23410 causes the anvil mounting portion 23410 to movedownwardly (arrow DL in FIG. 40) which results in the anvil trunnionformations 23412 entering the locking offset portions 23324 formed inthe trunnion slots 23320. Thus, the anvil trunnion formations 23412cannot translate into the arcuate actuation portion 23322 of thecorresponding trunnion slot 23320 during the application of the closuremotion to the anvil 23400 and the anvil 23400 is then prevented fromclosing.

FIG. 41 illustrates a portion of an alternative anvil 23400′ thatcomprises an anvil mounting portion 23410′ that has trunnion formations23412′ formed thereon. Each trunnion formation 23412′ comprises alaterally protruding actuator lobe 23414′ that defines an actuator ledge23416′ that is configured to interact with an anvil locking system 23700in the manner described above. As can be seen in FIG. 41, the actuatorledge 23416′ is vertically offset (distance OD) from a bottom surface23415′ of the anvil mounting portion 23410′. A trunnion pin 23418′protrudes outwardly from the actuator lobe 23414′ and is sized totranslate and pivot within a corresponding trunnion slot 23320. In thisexample, the trunnion pin 23418′ has a trunnion pin diameter TRD that isapproximately equal to the width LW of the actuator lobe 23414′.

FIG. 42 illustrates a portion of an alternative anvil 23400″ thatcomprises an anvil mounting portion 23410″ that has trunnion formations23412″ formed thereon. Each trunnion formation 23412″ comprises alaterally protruding actuator lobe 23414″ that defines an actuator ledge23416″ that is configured to interact with an anvil locking system 23700in the manner described above. As can be seen in FIG. 42, the actuatorledge 23416″ is coextensive with (e.g., not offset from) a bottom edge23415″ of the anvil mounting portion 23410″. A trunnion pin 23418″protrudes outwardly from the actuator lobe 23414″ and is sized totranslate and pivot within a corresponding trunnion slot 23320. In thisexample, the trunnion pin 23418″ has a trunnion pin diameter TRD′ thatis approximately equal to the width LW′ of the actuator lobe 23414′.

FIG. 43 is a partial cross-sectional end elevational view of a surgicalend effector 24100 that comprises an anvil 24400 that is pivotallysupported on an elongate channel 24310. The anvil 24400 comprises ananvil mounting portion 24410 that has trunnion formations 24412 formedthereon. Each trunnion formation 24412 comprises a laterally protrudingactuator lobe 24414 that defines a bottom lobe surface 24416 that isconfigured to interact with an anvil locking system 24700 in the mannerdescribed above. As can be seen in FIG. 44, the bottom lobe surface24416 is vertically offset (distance ODi) from a bottom surface 24415 ofthe anvil mounting portion 24410. A trunnion pin 24418 protrudesoutwardly from the actuator lobe 24414 and is sized to translate andpivot within a corresponding trunnion slot 24320 formed in the elongatechannel 24310. In this example, the trunnion pin 24418 has a trunnionpin diameter TRD₁ that is approximately equal to the width LW₁ of theactuator lobe 24414.

Channel 20310 comprises a channel bottom 24312 and a pair of upstandingsidewalls 24314. The channel 24310 may be coupled to an elongate shaftassembly 1200 (FIG. 5) by a channel mount feature 20340 which mayfacilitate articulation thereof about articulation joint 3020 (FIG. 5).FIG. 45 illustrates a portion of a proximal end 24316 of the channel24310. In one example, each channel wall 24314 has a trunnion slot 24320formed therein. In the illustrated arrangement, a lobe ledge 24340 isformed in each channel wall 24314 such that a top surface 24342 of thelobe ledge 24340 is coextensive with a bottom surface 24321 of thecorresponding trunnion slot 24320. Each trunnion 24418 is receivedwithin a corresponding trunnion slot 24320 and is free to rotate andtranslate therein.

Still referring to FIG. 45, a portion of an anvil lock 24702 of theanvil locking system 24700 is shown. The anvil lock 24702 operates inthe same manner as the anvil lock 20702 described above and includes alockout body 24706 that has an actuator tab (not shown) that is formedon a distal end thereof that is configured to be contacted by anunlocking feature that protrudes proximally from a compatible cartridge.The anvil lock 24702 may be fabricated from spring steel or othersuitable metal and include a proximal biasing arm 24704 that may beconfigured to be seated in a transverse spring mounting slot (not shown)that is provided in the body portion of a channel mount feature (notshown). The anvil lock 24702 further includes an upwardly extendinganvil lockout tab 24710 that protrudes therefrom that is configured toextend above the corresponding lobe ledge 24340 and contact acorresponding lobe 24414 as will be described below.

FIGS. 45 and 46 illustrate the anvil lock 24702 in the locked positionwherein the anvil 24400 is pivoted to an open position. This may occurwhen no cartridge has been inserted into the channel 24310 or anon-compatible cartridge (e.g. a cartridge that lacks, among otherthings, the proper anvil unlocking feature that is necessary to bias theanvil lock spring proximally) has been inserted into the channel 24310.Should the user unwittingly attempt to close the anvil 24400 when theanvil lock 24702 is in the distal locked position shown in FIGS. 45 and46, the corresponding lobe 24414 will contact the anvil lockout tab24710 and prevent the anvil 24400 from pivoting to the closed position.FIGS. 47 and 48 illustrate the position of the anvil lock 24702 in theproximal unlocked position wherein the anvil lockout tab 24710 ispositioned proximal to the lobe 24414 to permit the lobe 24414 to pivotto the closed position.

FIG. 49 is a partial cross-sectional end elevational view of a surgicalend effector 24100′ that comprises an anvil 24400′ that is pivotallysupported on an elongate channel 24310′. The anvil 24400′ comprises ananvil mounting portion 24410′ that has trunnion formations 24412′ formedthereon. Each trunnion formation 24412′ comprises a laterally protrudingactuator lobe 24414′ that defines a bottom lobe surface 24416′ that isconfigured to interact with an anvil locking system 24700′ in the mannerdescribed above. As can be seen in FIG. 50, the bottom lobe surface24416′ is coextensive with a bottom surface 24415′ of the anvil mountingportion 24410′. A trunnion pin 24418′ protrudes outwardly from theactuator lobe 24414′ and is sized to translate and pivot within acorresponding trunnion slot 24320′ formed in the elongate channel24310′. In this example, the trunnion pin 24418′ has a trunnion pindiameter TRD₂ that is smaller than the width LW₂ of the actuator lobe24414′.

Channel 20310′ comprises a channel bottom 24312′ and a pair ofupstanding sidewalls 24314′. The channel 24310′ may be coupled to anelongate shaft assembly 1200 (FIG. 5) by a channel mount feature 20340which may facilitate articulation thereof about articulation joint 3020(FIG. 5). FIG. 51 illustrates a portion of a proximal end 24316′ of thechannel 24310′. In one example, each channel wall 24314′ has a trunnionslot 24320′ formed therein. In the illustrated arrangement, a lobe ledge24340′ is formed in each channel wall 24314′ such that a top surface24342′ of the lobe ledge 24340′ is offset vertically from a bottomsurface 24321′ of the corresponding trunnion slot 24320′ an offsetdistance OSD. Offset distance OSD may be approximately equal to adistance TSD between the trunnion pin 24418′ and the bottom lobe surface24416′. See FIG. 50. Each trunnion pin 24418′ is received within acorresponding trunnion slot 24320′ and is free to rotate and translatetherein.

Still referring to FIG. 51, a portion of an anvil lock 24702′ of theanvil locking system 24700′ is shown. The anvil lock 24702′ operates inthe same manner as the anvil lock 20702 described above and includes alockout body 24706′ that has an actuator tab (not shown) formed on adistal end thereof that is configured to be contacted by an unlockingfeature that protrudes proximally from a compatible cartridge. The anvillock 24702′ may be fabricated from spring steel or other suitable metaland include a proximal biasing arm 24704′ that may be configured to beseated in a transverse spring mounting slot (not shown) provided in thebody portion of a channel mount feature (not shown). The anvil lock24702′ further includes an upwardly extending anvil lockout tab 24710′that protrudes therefrom that is configured to extend above thecorresponding lobe ledge 24340′ and contact a corresponding lobe 24414′as was described above.

FIG. 51 illustrates the anvil lock 24702′ in the locked position whereinthe anvil 24400 is pivoted to an open position. This may occur when nocartridge has been inserted into the channel or a non-compatiblecartridge (e.g. a cartridge that lacks, among other things, the properanvil unlocking feature that is required to bias the anvil lock springproximally) has been inserted into the channel 24310′. Should the userunwittingly attempt to close the anvil 24400′ when the anvil lock 24702′is in the distal locked position shown in FIG. 45, the correspondinglobe 24414′ will contact the anvil lockout tab 24710′ and prevent theanvil 24400′ from pivoting to the closed position. Once a compatiblesurgical staple cartridge has been loaded into the end effector 24100′,the anvil lock 24702′ will be biased to the unlocked position (see e.g.,FIG. 47) and the anvil 24400′ will be free to pivot to the closedposition.

FIG. 52 depicts a portion of a surgical end effector 24100″ thatcomprises an anvil 24400″ that is pivotally supported on an elongatechannel 24310″. The anvil 24400″ comprises an anvil mounting portion24410″ that has trunnion formations 24412″ formed thereon. As can beseen in FIGS. 53 and 54, each trunnion formation 24412″ comprises alaterally protruding actuator lobe 24414″ that defines a bottom lobesurface 24416″ that is configured to interact with an anvil lockingsystem 24700″ in the manner described above. As can be seen in FIG. 53,the actuator lobe 24414″, as well as the bottom lobe surface 24416″ ofthe actuator lobe 24414″, are located at an angle relative to an endeffector axis EA as well as a bottom edge 24419″ of the anvil mountingportion 24410″ and/or the bottom 24312″ of the channel 24310″. Asfurther illustrated in FIG. 53, the bottom lobe surface 24416″ isparallel to a lobe axis LBA that is located at a lobe angle LA relativeto the end effector axis EA. A trunnion pin 24418″ protrudes outwardlyfrom the actuator lobe 24414″ and is sized to translate and pivot withina corresponding trunnion slot 24320″ that is formed in the elongatechannel 24310″. See FIG. 55. In this example, the trunnion pin 24418″has a trunnion pin diameter TRD₃ that is equal to the width LW₃ of theactuator lobe 24414″.

Referring to FIG. 55, the channel 24310″ comprises a channel bottom24312″ and a pair of upstanding sidewalls 24314″. The channel 24310″ maybe coupled to an elongate shaft assembly 1200 (FIG. 5) by a channelmount feature 20340 which may facilitate articulation thereof aboutarticulation joint 3020 (FIG. 5) in the various manners describedherein. FIG. 55 illustrates a portion of a proximal end 24316″ of thechannel 24310″. In one example, each channel wall 24314″ has a trunnionslot 24320″ formed therein. In the illustrated arrangement, a lobe ledge24340″ is formed in each channel wall 24314″ such that a proximalsurface portion 24344″ of a top surface 24342″ of the lobe ledge 24340″is coextensive with a bottom surface 24321″ of the correspondingtrunnion slot 24320″. In the illustrated arrangement, the bottom surface24321″ of the trunnion slot 24320″ is approximately parallel to the endeffector axis EA and/or the bottom 24312″ of the channel 24310″. As canbe seen in FIG. 56, a ramped portion 24346″ of the top surface 24342″extends distally from the proximal surface portion 24344″ at an angleTSA and terminates in a horizontal distal surface portion 24348″. In onearrangement, for example, the distal surface portion 24348″ isapproximately parallel with the end effector axis EA and/or the bottom24312″ of the channel 24310″ and the angle TSA=angle LA. However, angleTSA may be different from angle LA in other embodiments. Each trunnion24418″ is received within a corresponding trunnion slot 24320″ and isfree to rotate and translate therein.

Referring to FIGS. 55 and 56, a portion of an anvil lock 24702″ of theanvil locking system 24700″ is shown. The anvil lock 24702″ operates inthe same manner as the anvil lock 20702 described above and includes alockout body 24706″ that has an actuator tab (not shown) formed on adistal end thereof that is configured to be contacted by an unlockingfeature that protrudes proximally from a compatible surgical staplecartridge. The anvil lock 24702″ may be fabricated from spring steel orother suitable metal and include a proximal biasing arm 24704″ that maybe configured to be seated in a transverse spring mounting slot (notshown) that is provided in the body portion of a channel mount feature(not shown). The anvil lock 24702″ further includes an upwardlyextending anvil lockout tab 24710″ that protrudes therefrom and isconfigured to extend above the distal surface portion 24348″ of thecorresponding lobe ledge 24340″ and be even or level with the proximalsurface portion 24344″ of the lobe ledge 24340″.

FIG. 55 illustrates the anvil lock 24702′ in the distal, locked positionwith the anvil 24400″ pivoted to an open position. This may occur whenno surgical staple cartridge has been inserted into the channel 24310″or a non-compatible surgical staple cartridge (e.g., a surgical staplecartridge that lacks, among other things, a proper anvil unlockingfeature required to bias the anvil lock 24702″ proximally) has beeninserted into the channel 24310″. When the anvil lock 24702″ is in thatposition, the anvil trunnions 24418″ are located in the proximal end oftheir respective trunnion slot 24320″ and the bottom lobe surface 24416″of at least one lobe 24414″ is resting on the proximal surface portion24344″ of the corresponding lobe ledge 24340″ as well as on the anvillockout tab 24710″. Should the user unwittingly attempt to close theanvil 24400″ when the anvil lock 24702″ is in the distal, lockedposition shown in FIGS. 52 and 55, the anvil lockout tab 24710″ willprevent the lobe 24414″ from pivoting downward onto the ramp surfaceportion 24346″ of the lobe ledge 24340″ which prevents the anvil 24400″from pivoting to the closed position. See FIG. 52. Once a compatiblesurgical staple cartridge has been loaded into the end effector 24100″,the anvil lockout feature thereon will bias the anvil lock 24702″proximally into to the unlocked position. See FIGS. 56 and 57. When theanvil lock 24702″ is in the proximal unlocked position, the anvil lockout tab 24710″ is locked proximal to the ramp surface 24346″ on the lobeledge 24340″ to thereby permit the lobe 24414″ to pivot downwardlythereon which results in the closure of the anvil 24400″.

FIG. 58 depicts a proximal portion of another anvil 24400′″ that isconfigured to be pivotally supported in an elongate channel 24310′″ thatis similar to channel 24310″ except for the differences discussed below.The anvil 24400′″ comprises an anvil mounting portion 24410′″ that hastrunnion formations 24412′″ formed thereon. Each trunnion formation24412′″ comprises a laterally protruding actuator lobe 24414′″ thatdefines a bottom lobe surface 24416′″ that is configured to interactwith an anvil locking system 24700″ in the manner described above. Theactuator lobe 24414′″ as well as the bottom lobe surface 24416′″ of theactuator lobe 24414′″ are located at an angle that is the same as theangle LA described above with respect to actuator lobe 24414″. Atrunnion pin 24418′″ protrudes outwardly from the actuator lobe 24414′″and is sized to translate and pivot within a corresponding trunnion slot24320′″ that is formed in the elongate channel 24310′″. See FIG. 59. Inthis example, the trunnion pin 24418′″ has a trunnion pin diameter TRD₄that is equal to the width LW₄ of the actuator lobe 24414′″.

As can be seen in FIG. 59, the channel 24310′″ comprises a channelbottom 24312′″ and a pair of upstanding sidewalls 24314′″. The channel24310′″ may be coupled to an elongate shaft assembly 1200 (FIG. 5) by achannel mount feature 20340 which may facilitate articulation thereofabout articulation joint 3020 (FIG. 5). FIG. 59 illustrates a portion ofa proximal end 24316′″ of the channel 24310′″. In one example, eachchannel wall 24314′″ has a trunnion slot 24320′″ formed therein. In theillustrated arrangement, a lobe ledge 24340′″ is formed in each channelwall 24314′″ such that a top surface 24342′ of the lobe ledge 24340′″ isoffset vertically from a bottom surface 24321′″ of the correspondingtrunnion slot 24320′″ an offset distance OSDi. Offset distance OSDi maybe approximately equal to a distance between the trunnion 24418′″ andthe bottom lobe surface 24416′″. In the illustrated arrangement, the topsurface 24342′ of the lobe ledge 24340′″ is identical to the top surface24342″ of the lobe ledge 24340″ and includes a proximal portion 24344′that is parallel to the bottom surface 24321′″ of the trunnion slot24320′″ as well as a ramped surface 24346′ and a distal surface 24348′.

The anvil locking system 24700″ works in the same manner to prevent theanvil 24400′″ from closing. When no cartridge is present in the channel24310′″ or a non-compatible cartridge (e.g. a cartridge that lacks theproper anvil unlocking feature to bias the anvil lock spring proximally)has been inserted into the channel 24310′″ the anvil lock tab 24710″ isin its distal-most locked position preventing the corresponding actuatorlobe 24414′″ from pivoting down onto the ramp surface 24346′ therebyretaining the anvil 24400′″ in the open position. Once a compatiblesurgical staple cartridge has been loaded into the end effector 24100′″,the anvil lockout feature thereon will bias the anvil lock 24702″proximally into to the unlocked position. When the anvil lock 24702″ isin the proximal, unlocked position, the anvil lock out tab 24710″ islocked proximal to the ramp surface 24346′ on the lobe ledge 24340′″ tothereby permit the lobe 24414′″ to pivot downwardly thereon whichresults in the closure of the anvil 24400′″.

FIGS. 60 and 61 illustrate another anvil 24400A that is identical inconstruction and operation to anvil 24400 described above, except thatthe trunnion formation 24412A is offset vertically from a bottom edge24415A of an anvil mounting portion 24410A of the anvil 24400A FIG. 62illustrates another anvil 24400B that is identical in construction andoperation to anvil 24400′ described above, except that the trunnionformation 24412E is offset vertically from a bottom edge 24415E of ananvil mounting portion 24410E of the anvil 24400B.

The examples depicted in FIGS. 41-62 employ trunnion formations thatcomprise various shapes and configurations of lobe structures that serveto interact with an anvil lock feature such that the interaction betweenthe anvil lock feature and the corresponding lobe structure serves tofacilitate positioning of the anvil trunnions within their respectivetrunnion slots. This positioning of the lob structures permits the anvilto close upon application of closure motions thereto when a compatiblesurgical staple cartridge has been loaded into the end effector. Ininstances wherein an incompatible surgical staple cartridge has beenloaded into the end effector, the anvil lock feature will retain thecorresponding trunnion formation in a position wherein the anvil will beunable to close even upon application of a closure motion thereto. Thus,the initial positions of the trunnion formations prevent closure, butloading of a proper or compatible surgical staple cartridge into thechannel changes positions of the trunnion formations to allow closure tooccur. The various lobe features described herein are also generallymore robust that previous trunnion arrangements which may lead toimproved anvil reliability.

FIGS. 63-69 depict a surgical end effector 25300 that may be used forexample in connection with the powered surgical instrument 1010described above. The surgical end effector 25300 comprises an anvil25400 that is pivotally supported on an elongate channel 25310 that isconfigured to operably support a surgical staple cartridge 25600. Theanvil 25400 is movable between an open position and a closed positionthrough interaction with an axially movable closure member in thevarious manners disclosed herein. In the illustrated example, the anvil25400 comprises an anvil body 25402 and an anvil mounting portion 25410.The anvil mounting portion 25410 comprises a pair of laterally extendingtrunnions 25412 that are operably received within corresponding trunnionslots provided in upstanding sidewalls 25314 of the channel 25310 in thevarious manners disclosed herein. As was discussed above with respect toend effector 1300, anvil 25400 may be pivoted between an open and aclosed position by interaction with an end effector closure tube 3050 inthe various manners described herein. For example, the end effectorclosure tube 3050 may be axially moved by actuation of a closure trigger1032 of the surgical instrument 1010. In other arrangements, the endeffector 25300 and shaft assembly to which it is attached may operablyinterface with a robotic system as is described in detail in many of thereferences which have been incorporated herein by reference. In suchapplications, the end effector closure tube 3050 may be axially advancedand retracted through actuation of a closure control system of therobotic system.

In the illustrated arrangement, distal movement of the end effectorclosure tube 3050 causes a distal end 3051 of the end effector closuretube 3050 to operably interact with a camming surface 25411 that isformed on the anvil mounting portion 25410 to cam the anvil 25400 to aclosed position. When the end effector closure tube 3050 is axiallyretracted in the proximal direction, the end effector closure tube 3050may be configured to interact with various formations, ledges or tabs toapply an opening motion to the anvil 25400. Further details may be foundin various other references which have been herein incorporated byreference.

The elongate channel 25310 may be coupled to an elongate shaft assembly1200 (FIG. 5) by a channel mount feature 20340 which may facilitatearticulation thereof about articulation joint 3020 (FIG. 5) in thevarious manners described herein. The illustrated example also includesa firing member 20500 (FIG. 20) that is attached to a distal end of afiring member beam 1900 (FIG. 5) and is configured to operably interfacewith a camming assembly in a surgical staple cartridge 25600 that hasbeen loaded into the channel 25310. To ensure that a compatible surgicalstaple cartridge 25600 has been loaded into the end effector 25300 priorto closure of the anvil 25400, the end effector employs a closurelockout system 25700. In the illustrated example, the closure lockoutsystem 25700 is configured to prevent a distal movement of the endeffector closure tube 3050 unless a compatible cartridge 25600 has beenproperly seated within the channel 25310. In one example, the closurelockout system 25700 comprises a closure lock 25702 that is configuredto move between a locked position and an unlocked position in responseto installation of a compatible surgical staple cartridge 25600 therein.FIGS. 65-69 illustrate one form of a closure lock 25702 that may befabricated from spring steel or other suitable metal and include a bodyportion 25706 that is pivotally pinned to the body portion 20342 of thechannel mount feature 20340 by a pivot pin 25709 that extends through apivot hole 25707 in the body portion 25706. The closure lock 25702further includes a proximal biasing arm 25704 that may be configured tobe seated in a slot (not shown) that is provided in the body portion20342 of the channel mount feature 20340. Such arrangement serves tobias the closure lock 25702 downward within the channel 25310.

As can be most particularly seen in FIGS. 65 and 66, in the illustratedexample, the closure lock 25702 further includes a blocking feature25710 that protrudes from a bottom of the body portion 25706 and extendslaterally outward. As illustrated in FIG. 65, when the closure lock25702 is in the locked position, the blocking feature 25710 ispositioned to block the distal advancement of the end effector closuretube 3050. When the closure lock 25702 is in the unlocked position asshown in FIG. 66, the blocking feature 25710 is moved away from theblocking position to permit the distal advancement of the end effectorclosure tube 3050.

Turning to FIG. 67, the closure lock 25702 further includes an actuatorportion 25712 that extends proximally to be engaged by a closureunlocking feature 25630 formed on a proximal end 25604 of a compatiblesurgical staple cartridge 25600. In at least one arrangement, thesurgical staple cartridge 25600 comprises an elongate cartridge body25602 that is sized to be removably seated in the elongate channel25310. The cartridge body 25602 includes a cartridge slot 25608 thatextends from the proximal end portion 25604 to a distal end portion25606 (FIG. 64) of the cartridge body 25602. The cartridge body 25602further comprises a cartridge deck surface 25610 that confronts astaple-forming undersurface 25404 of the anvil 25400 when the cartridge25600 is seated in the channel 25310 and the anvil 25400 is pivoted to aclosed position. Although not shown in FIG. 67, the surgical staplecartridge 25600 may have a plurality of (usually three) lines ofsurgical staple pockets on each side of the cartridge slot 25608 thatopen through the cartridge deck surface 25610. Each staple pocket mayhave a staple driver (not shown) associated therewith that supports asurgical staple or fastener (not shown) thereon. In at least oneexample, the cartridge body 25602 is molded from a polymer material withthe staple pockets molded or machined therein. In one arrangement, thestaple pockets also open through a bottom of the cartridge body 25602 tofacilitate installation of the drivers and fasteners into theirrespective pockets. Once the drivers and fasteners are inserted intotheir respective staple pockets, a cartridge pan 25620 is attached tothe bottom of the cartridge body 25602. When installed, the cartridgepan 25620 may, among other things, prevent the drivers and fastenersfrom falling out of the bottom of the cartridge body 25602 duringhandling and installation of the cartridge 25600 into the elongatechannel 25310. As was discussed above in connection with cartridge20040, cartridge 25600 operably supports a camming assembly therein. Thecamming assembly comprises a series of spaced cam members that areconfigured to move axially within corresponding cam slots 25609 formedon each side of the cartridge slot 25608 in the cartridge body 25602.The cam slots 25609 are aligned with corresponding lines of drivers inthe cartridge body 25602 to facilitate camming contact with acorresponding cam member as the camming assembly is driven through thestaple cartridge 25600 from a beginning position within the proximal endportion 25604 of the cartridge body 25602 to an ending position withinthe distal end portion 25606.

FIGS. 63 and 68 illustrate the surgical end effector 25300 without asurgical staple cartridge installed therein. As can be seen in FIG. 68,the proximal biasing arm 25704 has biased the closure lock 25702downward in the channel 25310 which results in the blocking feature25710 moving into blocking alignment with the distal end 3051 of the endeffector closure tube 3050 (locked position). Should the user activatethe closure system to move the end effector closure tube 3050 distally,the blocking feature 25710 will block the distal advancement of the endeffector closure tube 3050 thereby preventing an application of closuremotions to the anvil 25400. Returning to FIG. 67, in at least onearrangement, the staple cartridge 25600 includes an anvil unlockingfeature or tab 25630 that protrudes proximally from the cartridge body25602 and is aligned to unlockingly engage the actuation tab 25712 thatis formed on the distal end of the closure lock 25702 when the cartridge25600 has been operably installed in the elongate channel 25310. In oneexample, the unlocking feature 25630 has a somewhat ramped surface 25632that is configured to operably interact with an angled surface 25713 onthe actuation tab 25712 so that the when the ramped surface 25632 andthe angled surface 25713 are brought into engagement, the closure lock25702 is pivoted in an upward direction. When the closure lock 25702 ispivoted upward into the unlocked position, the blocking feature 25710 isno longer in blocking alignment with the end effector closure tube 3050.See FIG. 66.

FIGS. 64 and 69 depict the surgical end effector 25300 with a compatiblesurgical staple cartridge 25600 operably installed in the elongatechannel 25310. As can be seen in FIG. 69, the ramped surface 25632 onthe unlocking feature 25630 on the staple cartridge body 25602 hascontacted the angled surface 25713 (shown in FIG. 68) on the actuationtab 25712 on the closure lock 25702 to bias the closure lock 25702 intothe unlocked position. When in that position, the user may distallyadvance the end effector closure tube 3050 distally to apply closingmotions to the anvil 25400. Should the user attempt to install aninappropriate cartridge that lacks the unlocking feature 25630 in anappropriate position or similar feature designed to unlocking engage theclosure lock 25702, the user will be unable to distally advance the endeffector closure tube 3050 to close the anvil 25400.

FIGS. 70 and 71 illustrate a surgical end effector 25300′ that comprisesan anvil 25400′ that is pivotally supported on a channel 25310′ and issubstantially identical to end effector 25300 described above exceptthat the closure locking system 25700′ employs a different closure lock25702′ that is configured to interact with an unlocking feature providedon a camming assembly 25650′ within a surgical staple cartridge 25600′.As can be seen in FIGS. 70 and 71, the closure lock 25702′ comprises anelongate body 25706′ that has a tapered actuator tab portion 25712′ onits distal end. The body 25706′ is pivotally attached to the channelmount feature 20340 and a proximal biasing arm 25704′ biases the closurelock 25702′ within the channel 25310′.

FIG. 72 illustrates a surgical staple cartridge 25600′ that comprises anelongate cartridge body 25602′ that is sized to be removably seated inthe elongate channel 25310′. The cartridge body 25602′ includes acartridge slot 25608′ that extends from a proximal end portion 25604′ toa distal end portion of the cartridge body 25602′. The cartridge body25602′ further comprises a cartridge deck surface 25610′ that confrontsa staple-forming undersurface 25404′ of the anvil 25400′ when thecartridge 25600′ is seated in the channel 25310′ and the anvil 25400′ ispivoted to a closed position. Although not shown in FIG. 72, thesurgical staple cartridge 25600′ may have a plurality of (usually three)lines of surgical staple pockets on each side of the cartridge slot25608′ that open through the cartridge deck surface 25610′. Each staplepocket may have a staple driver (not shown) associated therewith thatsupports a surgical staple or fastener (not shown) thereon. In at leastone example, the cartridge body 25602′ is molded from a polymer materialwith the staple pockets molded or machined therein. In one arrangement,the staple pockets also open through a bottom of the cartridge body25602′ to facilitate installation of the drivers and fasteners intotheir respective pockets. Once the drivers and fasteners are insertedinto their respective staple pockets, a cartridge pan 25620′ is attachedto the bottom of the cartridge body 25602′. When installed, thecartridge pan 25620′ may, among other things, prevent the drivers andfasteners from falling out of the bottom of the cartridge body 25602′during handling and installation of the cartridge 25600′ into theelongate channel 25310′. A camming assembly 25650′ is operably supportedin the cartridge body 25602′. In at least one arrangement, the cammingassembly 25650′ comprises a series of spaced cam members 25652′ that areconfigured to move axially within corresponding cam slots 25609′ thatare formed on each side of the cartridge slot 25608′ in the cartridgebody 25602′. The cam slots 25609′ are aligned with corresponding linesof drivers in the cartridge body 25602′ to facilitate camming contactwith a corresponding cam member 25652′ as the camming assembly 25650′ isdriven through the staple cartridge 25600′ from a beginning positionwithin the proximal end portion 25604′ of the cartridge body 25602′ toan ending position within the distal end portion. In at least oneexample, the camming assembly 25650′ includes a closure unlockingfeature or tab 25660′ that protrudes proximally from the cammingassembly 25650′ and is aligned to unlockingly engage the actuation tab25712′ that is formed on the distal end of the closure lock 25702′ whenthe cartridge 25600′ has been operably installed in the elongate channel25310′ and the camming assembly 25650′ is in its unfired beginningposition within the cartridge 25600′.

Returning to FIG. 71, in one example, the unlocking feature 25660′ has atapered nose portion 25662′ that is configured to operably interact withthe actuation tab 25712′ so that the when the tapered nose portion25662′ is brought into engagement with the actuation tab 25712′, theclosure lock 25702′ is pivoted upward. When the closure lock 25702′ ispivoted upward into the unlocked position, a blocking feature 25710′ onthe closure lock 25702′ is no longer in blocking alignment with the endeffector closure tube 3050.

As can be seen in FIG. 72, the cartridge body 25602′ may further includea locking safety 25670′ that protrudes proximally from a proximal end ofthe cartridge body 25602′ and adjacent to the tapered nose portion25662′. An upper surface 25672′ of the locking safety 25670′ is angledto match the tapered nose portion 25662′ but when the camming assembly25650′ is in its proximal-most beginning position, the tapered noseportion 25662′ protrudes proximally beyond the end of the locking safety25670′.

FIG. 70 illustrates an initial insertion of an unfired compatiblesurgical staple cartridge 25600′ into the channel 25310′. As can be seenin FIG. 70 the tapered nose portion 25662′ has made initial contact withthe actuator tab portion 25712′ on the closure lock 25702′. The closurelock 25702′ remains biased downward to a locked position wherein theblocking feature 25710′ of the closure lock 25702′ is in blockingalignment with the distal end 3051 of the end effector closure tube3050. As the cartridge 25600′ is further advanced proximally into aseated position within the channel 25310′, the tapered nose portion25662′ on the camming assembly 25650′ lifts the actuation tab 25712′upward above the angled upper surface 25672′ of the locking safety25670′ to enable the closure lock 25702′ to pivot into the unlockedposition wherein the blocking feature 25710′ is no longer in blockingalignment with the distal end 3051 of the end effector closure tube3050. When in that position, the user may advance the end effectorclosure tube 3050 distally to apply closing motions to the anvil 25400′.Thus, in this embodiment, the closure locking system 25700′ is actuatedby the camming assembly 25650′, but only when the camming assembly25650′ is in an unfired beginning position.

FIG. 73 illustrates insertion of a staple cartridge 25600X wherein thecamming assembly thereof is not in a proximal-most unfired position.This may occur when the user attempts to use the staple cartridge 25600Xthat has been previously used, for example. Because the camming assemblyis not in its unfired beginning position, the tapered nose potion isabsent to begin to bias the closure lock 25702′ into an upward positionabove the closure safety 25670′. When the cartridge 25600X is fullyseated in the channel 25310′, the action tab 25712′ of the closure lock25702′ is positioned under a lower lock surface 25674′. The closure lock25702′ remains in the locked position wherein the blocking feature25710′ thereof is in blocking alignment with the distal end 3051 of theend effector closure tube 3050. Should the user unwittingly attempt todistally advance the end effector closure tube 3050 to close the anvil25400′, the distal end 3051 will contact the blocking feature 25710′ andthe closure safety 25670′ will further prevent the closure lock 25702′from pivoting upwardly to an unlocked position under the closure load.

FIGS. 74 and 75 illustrate a surgical end effector 25300″ that comprisesan anvil 25400″ that is pivotally supported on a channel 25310″ and issubstantially identical to end effector 25300′ described above. Endeffector 25300″ employs a closure locking system 25700″ that comprises aclosure lock 25702″. As can be seen in FIG. 76, the closure lock 25702″comprises an elongate body 25706″ that has an actuator tab portion25712″ on its distal end. The body 25706″ includes a lower spring arm25720″ that is mounted within the channel 25310″. The lower spring arm25720″ is mounted so as to apply a downwardly biasing force to theclosure lock 25702″ which will be discussed below. As will also bediscussed in further detail below, the closure lock 25702″ furtherincludes a vertically extending anvil locking tab 25710″ that isconfigured to lockingly interact with a lock lug 25414″ that is formedon an anvil mounting portion 25410″ of the anvil 25400″. In addition,the closure lock 25702″ comprises a proximal biasing spring 25704″ whichserves to bias the closure lock 25702″ in the distal direction DD (FIG.76). As can be seen in FIG. 74, the elongate channel 25310″ may becoupled to an elongate shaft assembly 1200 (FIG. 5) by a channel mountfeature 20340 which may facilitate articulation thereof aboutarticulation joint 3020 (FIG. 5) in the various manners describedherein. As can be seen in FIG. 76, the proximal biasing spring 25704″ isconfigured to be seated within the transverse slot 20343 in the bodyportion 20342 of the channel mount feature 20340.

Similar to the closure of anvil 25400′ discussed above, distal movementof an end effector closure tube causes a distal end of the end effectorclosure tube to operably interact with a camming surface 25411″ formedon an anvil mounting portion 25410″ of the anvil 25400″ to cam the anvil25400″ to a closed position. When the end effector closure tube isaxially retracted in the proximal direction, the end effector closuretube may be configured to interact with various formations, ledges ortabs to apply an opening motion to the anvil 25400″. Further details maybe found in various other references which have been herein incorporatedby reference.

FIG. 77 illustrates a surgical staple cartridge 25600″ that comprises anelongate cartridge body 25602″ that is sized to be removably seated inthe elongate channel 25310″. The cartridge body 25602″ includes acartridge slot 25608″ that extends from a proximal end portion 25604″ toa distal end portion of the cartridge body 25602″. The cartridge body25602″ further comprises a cartridge deck surface 25610′ that confrontsa staple-forming undersurface 25404″ of the anvil 25400″ when thecartridge 25600″ is seated in the channel 25310″ and the anvil 25400″ ispivoted to a closed position. Although not shown in FIG. 77, thesurgical staple cartridge 25600″ may have a plurality of (usually three)lines of surgical staple pockets on each side of the cartridge slot25608″ that open through the cartridge deck surface 25610″. Each staplepocket may have a staple driver (not shown) associated therewith thatsupports a surgical staple or fastener (not shown) thereon. In at leastone example, the cartridge body 25602′ is molded from a polymer materialwith the staple pockets molded or machined therein. In one arrangement,the staple pockets also open through a bottom of the cartridge body25602″ to facilitate installation of the drivers and fasteners intotheir respective pockets. A camming assembly 25650″ is operablysupported in the cartridge body 25602″. In at least one arrangement, thecamming assembly 25650″ comprises a series of spaced cam members 25652″that are configured to move axially within corresponding cam slots25609″ that are formed on each side of the cartridge slot 25608″ in thecartridge body 25602″. The cam slots 25609″ are aligned withcorresponding lines of drivers in the cartridge body 25602″ tofacilitate camming contact with a corresponding cam member 25652″ as thecamming assembly 25650″ is driven through the staple cartridge 25600″from a beginning position within the proximal end portion 25604″ of thecartridge body 25602″ to an ending position within the distal endportion. In at least one example, the camming assembly 25650′ includes aclosure unlocking feature or tab 25660″ that protrudes proximally fromthe camming assembly 25650″ and is aligned to unlockingly engage theactuation tab 25712″ that is formed on the distal end of the closurelock 25702″ when the surgical staple cartridge 25600″ has been operablyinstalled in the elongate channel 25310″ and the camming assembly 25650″is in its unfired beginning position within the cartridge 25600″.

Returning to FIG. 77, in one example, the unlocking feature 25660″ has atapered nose portion 25662″ that is configured to operably interact withthe actuation tab 25712″ so that the when the tapered nose portion25662″ is brought into engagement with the actuation tab 25712″, theclosure lock 25702″ is moved upward against a downward biasing forceestablished by the lower spring 25720″. When the closure lock 25702″ ispivoted upward into the unlocked position, the anvil locking tab 25710″on the closure lock 25702″ is no longer in blocking alignment with thelock lug 25414″ on the anvil mounting portion 24410″.

FIG. 74 illustrates an initial insertion of an unfired compatiblesurgical staple cartridge 25600″ into the channel 25310″. As can be seenin FIG. 74, the tapered nose portion 25662″ of the camming assembly25650″ has not yet interacted with the actuator tab portion 25712″ onthe closure lock 25702″. The closure lock 25702″ remains biased downwardto a locked position wherein the anvil locking tab 25710″ of the closurelock 25702″ is in blocking alignment with the lock lug 25414″ on theanvil mounting portion 25410″ of the anvil 25400″. As the surgicalstaple cartridge 25600″ is further advanced proximally into a seatedposition within the channel 25310″, the tapered nose portion 25662″ onthe camming assembly 25650″ contacts the actuation tab 25712″ and biasesthe closure lock 25702″ upward to an unlocked position wherein the anvillocking tab 25710″ is no longer aligned with the anvil lock lug 25414″.When in that position, the user may close the anvil 25400″ by distallyadvancing the end effector closure tube to apply closing motions to theanvil 25400″. Thus, in this embodiment, the closure locking system25700″ is actuated by the camming assembly 25650″, but only when thecamming assembly 25650″ is in an unfired beginning position. Once thesurgical staple cartridge 25600″ has been removed from the channel25310″, the lower spring 25720″ on the closure lock 25702″ will bias theclosure lock 25702″ downwardly back into its locked position wherein theanvil locking tab 25710″ is in blocking alignment with the lock lug25414″ on the anvil 25400″.

FIG. 78 illustrates insertion of a staple cartridge 25600X″ that has acamming assembly therein that is not in a proximal-most unfiredposition. Because the camming assembly is not in its unfired, beginningposition, the tapered nose potion is absent to bias the closure lock25702″ upward into the unlocked position. The closure lock 25702′remains in the locked position wherein the anvil locking tab 25710″thereof is in blocking alignment with the anvil lock lug 25414″ on theanvil 25400″. Should the user unwittingly attempt to close the anvil25400″, the anvil lock lug 25414″ will contact the anvil locking tab25710″ on the closure lock 25702″ and prevent the anvil 25400″ frompivoting to the closed position.

FIGS. 79-83 illustrate an alternative cartridge nose assembly 25800 thatmay be employed with any of the cartridges and channel arrangementsdisclosed herein to provide another mechanism for ensuring that asurgical staple cartridge that is inserted into the end effector channelis compatible with the end effector and to provide the user with anothervisual indicator that the cartridge has been fired. For example, thecartridge nose assembly 25800 may be employed with the cartridge 25600and the channel 25310 of the end effector 25300 (FIG. 64). In theillustrated arrangement, cartridge nose assembly 25800 comprises a noseassembly body 25802 that is movably coupled to a distal end 25606 of thecartridge body 25602. As can be seen in FIGS. 81 and 82, the distal endportion 25606 of the cartridge body 25602 comprises a distally extendingtapered portion 25605 that is adapted to be received withincomplementary shaped nose notch 25804 in the nose assembly body 25802.In addition, the nose assembly body 25802 is configured with axialalignment features (not shown) that may be slidably supported in axialgrooves 25607 provided in the distal end portion 25606 of the cartridgebody 25602.

As can be seen in FIGS. 83 and 84, a nose retainer latch arm 25810extends proximally from an upper portion of the nose assembly body 25802into a latch cavity 25680 formed in the cartridge body 25602. The noseassembly body 25802 is axially movable from a locked position shown inFIGS. 81 and 83 to an unlocked position shown in FIGS. 82 and 84. Whenthe nose assembly body 25802 is in the unlocked position, a retentionlatch 25812 that is formed on a proximal end of the retainer latch arm25810 engages a retention lug 25682 that is formed on the distal endportion 25606 of the cartridge body 25602 to retain the cartridge noseassembly 25800 on the distal end 25606 of the cartridge body 25602.

Referring now to FIGS. 81 and 82, the nose assembly body 25802 furthercomprises proximally extending nose tab portions 25820 that are sized tofrictionally engage corresponding distal extending channel ledges 25317formed on a distal end 25315 of the channel 25310 to retain the noseassembly 25800 in the proximally forward “locked position”. As can beseen in FIGS. 83 and 84, the nose assembly body 25802 may furtherinclude an integral spring arm 25830 that is configured to interact witha spring lug 25684 that is formed on the distally extending taperedportion 25605 of the cartridge body 25602. The spring arm 25830 appliesa distal biasing force BF to the cartridge nose assembly 25800 toincrease the frictional force between the nose tab portions 25820 andthe channel ledges 25317 to retain the cartridge nose assembly 25800 inthe locked position.

In operation, the cartridge nose assembly 25800 is in the lockedposition when the cartridge 25600 is in its unfired state and is readyto be installed in the channel 25310. To install the unfired cartridge25600 into the end effector 25300, the cartridge body 25602 is placed inthe channel 25310 and then advanced proximally therein to engage thechannel ledges 25317 with the nose tab portions 25820 as shown in FIGS.81 and 82. As discussed above, when the cartridge 25600 is unfired, thecamming assembly 25650 is in its proximal-most beginning position.During the firing process, the camming assembly 25650 is driven in thecartridge body 25602 to its distal-most position therein. When thecamming assembly 25650 reaches its distal-most position, a central bodyportion 25651 of the camming assembly 25650 contacts the cartridge noseassembly 25800 with a sufficient amount of force to overcome thefrictional forces FF retaining the cartridge nose assembly 25800 in thelocked position and moves the cartridge nose assembly 25800 axially intothe unlocked position. In the alternative, the user may disengage thecartridge nose assembly 25800 by pulling it distally to the unlockedposition. Once the cartridge nose assembly 25800 is moved to theunlocked position, the cartridge 25600 may be removed from the elongatechannel 25310. In addition, the distally extending cartridge noseassembly 25800 may provide the user with a visual indication that thecartridge has been fired (spent).

FIGS. 85 and 86 illustrate a portion of a surgical end effector 26300that employs a firing member 26120 that may be configured to be distallyadvanced by a rotary powered firing system or an axial powered(non-rotary powered) firing system. In particular, the firing member26120 may be employed in connection with any of the various end effectorarrangements and firing drive system configurations disclosed herein, aswell as in connection with those end effector and firing drive systemconfigurations described in the various references incorporated byreference herein.

As can be seen in FIGS. 85 and 86, the firing member 26120 comprises afiring member body 26122 that includes a firing member lockout system26140 that comprises a firing member lockout 26142 that is pivotallyattached to the firing member body 26122. The firing member lockout26142 comprises a lockout body 26144 that comprises a pair of legs 26146that straddle the firing member body 26122 and are pivotally attachedthereto. The lockout body 26144 further includes a sled latch 26148 thatis configured for contact with a camming sled or camming assembly 26650that is operably supported in a staple cartridge (not shown). FIG. 85illustrates the firing member 26120 in a proximal-most startingposition. As can be seen in FIGS. 85 and 86, a firing lockout hole 26315is provided through a bottom portion 26312 of an elongate channel 26310of the end effector 26300. A lockout spring 26150 is mounted in theelongate channel 26310 and is configured to bias the firing memberlockout 26142 downward such that, if a fresh unfired staple cartridgehas not been properly loaded into the elongate channel 26310, a distaledge 26149 of the lockout body 26144 engages an angled distal edge 26317of the firing lockout hole 26315. When in that position, should the userinadvertently attempt to distally advance the firing member 26120, thefiring member lockout 26142 prevents the distal advancement of thefiring member 26120 as shown in FIG. 86.

A fresh, unfired surgical staple cartridge contains a camming assembly26650 that is located in a starting or unfired position that is proximalto the lines of staple drivers that are supported in the cartridge body.As used herein, the terms “fresh, unfired” means that the staplecartridge has all of its intended staples or fasteners in theirrespective unfired positions and the camming assembly is in a proximalunfired starting position. When a fresh, unfired surgical staplecartridge has been properly seated within the elongate channel 26310, aproximally extending unlocking portion 26653 on the camming assembly26650 engages the sled latch 26148 on the firing member lockout 26142 topivot the firing member lockout 26142 into an unlocked position whereinthe firing member lockout 26142 does not extend into the firing lockouthole 26315 in the elongate channel 26310. FIG. 85 illustrates a cammingassembly 26650 in the starting position and the firing member 26120 isfree to be advanced distally by actuating the firing drive system.

At the completion of the firing process, the camming assembly 26650 mayremain at the distal end of the staple cartridge (i.e., in a “fired”position”) while the firing member 26120 is retracted back to itsstarting position wherein the anvil may be opened and the spentcartridge removed from the channel 26310. Thus, once a surgical staplecartridge has been spent (e.g., completely fired) the camming assembly26650 is not returned to its starting position. As such, if the spentcartridge were to be inadvertently re-installed in the end effector26300, the camming assembly 26650 is not in a starting position whereinthe camming assembly 26650 can unlock the firing member lockout 26142.Thus, the firing member lockout system 26140 may also be referred toherein as a “spent cartridge lockout system”.

FIGS. 87-90 illustrate an anvil 26400 that is configured to be pivotallysupported on the channel 26310 or a similar channel of the various typesdisclosed herein. In FIGS. 87-89, the channel has been omitted forclarity. In the illustrated arrangement, the anvil 26400 includes acartridge verification system 26440 that may be configured to preventfiring of an incompatible cartridge that has been otherwise seated inthe cartridge. The anvil 26400 and cartridge verification system 26440may be used in connection with a surgical end effector 26300 thatemploys a firing member 26120 that is equipped with an onboard firingmember lockout system 26140 that is configured to prevent the distaladvancement of the firing member 26120 unless the firing member lockout26142 has been moved to an unlocked position through interaction with acorresponding camming assembly located in the surgical staple cartridge.The cartridge verification system 26440 may also be used in connectionwith surgical end effectors that employ an axially advanced (non-rotary)firing member that is otherwise equipped with a firing member lockoutsystem that is similar to the firing member lockout system 26140.

FIG. 90 illustrates a portion of a surgical staple cartridge 26600 thatis compatible with the surgical end effector 26300. In at least onearrangement, the surgical staple cartridge 26600 comprises an elongatecartridge body 26602 that is sized to be removably seated in theelongate channel of the end effector 26300. The cartridge body 26602includes a cartridge slot 26608 that extends from a proximal end portion26604 to a distal end portion of the cartridge body 26602. The cartridgebody 26602 further comprises a cartridge deck surface 26610 thatconfronts a staple-forming undersurface 26404 of the anvil 26400 whenthe cartridge 26600 is seated in the channel and the anvil 26400 ispivoted to a closed position. Although not shown in FIG. 90, thesurgical staple cartridge 26600 may have a plurality of (usually three)lines of surgical staple pockets on each side of the cartridge slot26608 that open through the cartridge deck surface 26610. Each staplepocket may have a staple driver (not shown) associated therewith thatsupports a surgical staple or fastener (not shown) thereon. In at leastone example, the cartridge body 26602 is molded from a polymer materialwith the staple pockets molded or machined therein. In one arrangement,the staple pockets also open through a bottom of the cartridge body26602 to facilitate installation of the drivers and fasteners into theirrespective pockets. Once the drivers and fasteners are inserted intotheir respective staple pockets, a cartridge pan 26620 is attached tothe bottom of the cartridge body 26602. When installed, the cartridgepan 26620 may, among other things, prevent the drivers and fastenersfrom falling out of the bottom of the cartridge body 26602 duringhandling and installation of the cartridge 26600 into the elongatechannel 26310.

In the illustrated arrangement, the cartridge 26600 operably supports acamming assembly 26650 therein. The camming assembly 26650 comprises acentral body portion 26652 and a series of spaced cam members 26654 thatare configured to move axially within corresponding cam slots 26609formed on each side of the cartridge slot 26608 in the cartridge body26602. The cam slots 26609 are aligned with corresponding lines ofdrivers in the cartridge body 26602 to facilitate camming contact with acorresponding cam member 26654 as the camming assembly 26650 is driventhrough the staple cartridge 26600 from a beginning position within theproximal end portion 26604 of the cartridge body 26602 to an endingposition within the distal end portion of the cartridge body 26602. Thecentral body portion 26652 includes the proximally extending unlockingportion 26653 that is configured to engage the sled latch 26148 on thefiring member lock 26142 when the cartridge 26600 has been properlyloaded into the channel 26310. As can be seen in FIG. 90, when thecamming assembly 26650 is in its proximal-most starting position whereinthe unlocking portion 26653 can move the firing member lockout 26142 tothe unlocked position, each of the cam members 26654 may protrudeproximally out of their respective cam slots 26609.

Referring now to FIGS. 87 and 91, in the illustrated arrangement, thecartridge verification system 26440 comprises a cartridge verificationmember or shuttle member 26442 that is attached to an underside of ananvil mounting portion 26410 of the anvil 26400. The cartridgeverification member 26442 may be of one-piece construction and include apair of downwardly extending shuttle legs 26444 that are bifurcated by afiring member slot 26447 (FIG. 91) to facilitate passage of the firingmember 26120 therebetween. In other arrangements, the cartridgeverification member 26442 may be of two-piece construction whichconsists of two separate downwardly extending shuttle legs 26444 thatare separated from each other by a space 26448 that is configured toaccommodate passage of the firing member body 26122 therethrough. Ineither case, the shuttle member 26442 may be fabricated from a compliantpolymer or rubber material and be attached to the underside of the anvilmounting portion 26410 by appropriate adhesive of fastener arrangements.

In the illustrated example, each shuttle leg 26444 includes a distallyprotruding sled actuator arm 26446. Returning to FIG. 90, the cartridgebody 26602 includes two proximally protruding verification features orcartridge key portions 26630 that are configured to unlockingly engagethe sled actuator arm 26446 on a corresponding shuttle leg 26444 whenthe cartridge 26600 is operably seated in the channel 26310. As will bediscussed further below, if the verification features 26630 are notpresent to contact the corresponding sled actuator arm 26446, the sledactuator arms 26446 would otherwise contact the protruding cam members26654 and push or urge the camming assembly 26650 distally into aposition wherein the unlocking portion 26653 on the camming assembly26650 is no longer in unlocking engagement with the sled latch 26148 onthe firing member lock 26142.

Interaction between the cartridge verification system 26440 andcartridge 26600 may be understood from reference to FIGS. 87-92. FIG. 87illustrates initial installation of a compatible surgical staplecartridge 26600 into the end effector 26300. Although the channel hasbeen omitted from the drawings, the anvil 26400 is shown in a fully openposition. In the illustrated example, the anvil 26400 is movablyjournaled on the channel such that upon application of an initialclosure motion thereto from a closure member arrangement of many of thevarious closure systems described herein, the anvil 26400 pivots to apartially closed position or intermediate position shown in FIG. 88.When in that position, each sled actuator arm 26446 is confrontinglyaligned with the corresponding verification feature 26630 on thecartridge body 26602. Further application of the closure motion to theanvil 26400 may also cause the anvil 26400 to translate distally into aclosed position. When the anvil 26400 moves distally, the verificationfeatures 26630 block the distal movement of the corresponding compliantsled actuator arms 26446 to prevent the sled actuator arm 26446 fromcontacting the proximally protruding cam members 26654. Thus, thecamming assembly 26650 remains in its starting position wherein theunlocking portion 26653 on the camming assembly 26650 remains inunlocking engagement with the sled latch 26148 on the firing member lock26142. Thus, the firing member 26120 is free to move distally throughthe cartridge 26600 upon actuation of the firing drive system.

FIG. 92 illustrates a cartridge 26600X that may be very similar tocartridge 26600 but is “incompatible” with the surgical end effector26300. For example, the cartridge 26600X lacks the verification featuresor key portions 26630 of the cartridge 26600. In addition, to lackingthe verification features or keys 26630, the cartridge 26600X may alsodiffer from the cartridge 26600 in the numbers, sizes, locations, etc.of the fasteners contained therein, notwithstanding the fact that thecartridge 26600X may have a camming assembly 26650 that is identical inconstruction and use as the camming assembly 26650 employed incartridges 26600.

FIGS. 93-95 illustrate insertion of an incompatible cartridge 26600Xinto the surgical end effector 26300. FIG. 93 illustrates initialinstallation of an incompatible surgical staple cartridge 26600X intothe end effector 26300. Although the channel has been omitted from thedrawings, the anvil 26400 is shown in a fully open position. FIG. 94illustrates the anvil 26400 in an intermediate position upon applicationof an initial closure motion thereto. When in that position, each sledactuator arm 26446 is confrontingly aligned with corresponding cammembers 26654 that protrude proximally out of their respective cam slots26609. Further application of the closure motion to the anvil 26400 maycause the anvil 26400 to translate distally into a final closedposition. When the anvil 26400 moves distally, the sled actuator arms26446 contact the proximally protruding cam members 26654 and move thecamming assembly 26650 distally to a point wherein the unlocking portion26653 thereon is no longer in engagement with the sled latch 26148 onthe firing member lock 26142. Thus, the firing member lockout 26142remains in locking engagement with the elongate channel 26310 of the endeffector 26300 to prevent the distal advancement of the firing member26120 upon actuation of the firing drive system.

FIGS. 96-98 illustrate another cartridge verification system 26440′ thatmay be employed with an end effector 26300′ that employs a firing member20500 that is axially advanced by a firing member beam 1900 in thevarious manners discussed herein. As was discussed above, the firingmember 20500 comprises a firing member body 20502 that is configured toaxially pass through vertically aligned slots in the anvil (not shown),a staple cartridge 26600′, and the elongate channel 26310′. A lower footassembly 20506 that comprises a pair of laterally extending lowerflanges extends from a bottom end of the firing member body 20502 toslidably engage corresponding channel ledges that are formed on eachside of the channel slot. An upper foot that comprises two laterallyextending anvil tabs 20507 may be formed on an upper end of the firingmember body 20502 and is configured to slidably engage anvil ledges (notshown) that are formed on each side of the anvil slot. In at least onearrangement, the firing member 20500 further includes a pair of centraltabs (not shown) that extend laterally from each side of the firingmember body 20502.

The firing member body 20502 is also configured with a proximallyextending spring tail 20512 that may be configured to operably interfacewith a firing member lockout spring (not shown) that is mounted in theelongate channel 26310′ and is configured to bias the firing member20500 downward in the elongate channel 26310′ into a locked position.When in the locked position, the firing member foot 20506 and/or thecentral tabs are misaligned with corresponding passages in the channel20310′ and as such, should the user attempt to distally advance thefiring member 20500 when in that locked out state, the firing member20500 would not move distally due to such misalignment. That is, thefoot 20506 and/or central tabs contact portions of the elongate channel20310′ to thereby prevent the distal advancement of the firing member20500. In one arrangement, a sled latch 20514 is formed on the firingmember body 20502 and is configured to be engaged by a proximallyextending unlocking portion 26653′ on a camming assembly 26650′ that isoperably supported in a proximal-most unfired or starting positionwithin a compatible cartridge 26600′ that has been operably seated inthe channel 26310′. When a fresh, unfired staple cartridge 26600′ withthe camming assembly 26650′ thereof in its unfired position has beenoperably installed in the elongate channel 26310′, the unlocking portion26653′ on the camming assembly 26650′ engages the sled latch 20514 onthe firing member body 20502 and moves the firing member 20500 upwardinto an unlocked position wherein the lower foot assembly 20506 and/orthe central tabs are aligned with their respective passages in thechannel 26310′ to permit the firing member 20500 to axially advancetherein. As the user distally advances the firing member 20500 into thecartridge 26600′, the firing member 20500 also drives the cammingassembly 20650′ therein which cams the drivers upward to drive thestaples or fasteners supported thereon into forming contact with theunderside of the anvil. The tissue cutting member 20504 on the firingmember 20500 then cuts through the stapled tissue. Once the firingmember 20500 has been driven to its distal-most position correspondingto the ending position of the camming assembly 26650′, the firing member20500 is retracted back to its proximal-most position, leaving thecamming assembly 26650′ in the distal end of the cartridge 26600′. Whenthe firing member 20500 returns to its proximal-most beginning position,the lock spring once again biases the firing member 20500 back into itslocked position. Thus, should the user inadvertently try to reuse thespent cartridge, the camming assembly 26650′ is not in its startingposition which is required to unlock the firing member 20500. Thus, thisfiring member lockout arrangement may also be referred to herein as a“spent cartridge lockout arrangement”.

In the arrangement depicted in FIGS. 96 and 97, the cartridgeverification system 26440′ comprises an axially movable, cartridgeverification member or seating shuttle 26442′ that is supported withinthe channel 26310′ for axial movement from a distal-most cartridgeengagement position to a proximal verification location within thechannel 26310′. A shuttle spring 26449′ is mounted within the channel26310′ and serves to bias the cartridge verification member or seatingshuttle 26442′ into the distal-most cartridge engagement position. Ascan be seen in FIGS. 96 and 97, the cartridge verification member orshuttle 26442′ further includes a pair of distally protruding sledactuator arms 26446′. The sled actuator arms 26446′ are positioned tocontact corresponding cam members on a camming assembly of anon-compliant cartridge as will be discussed below.

FIG. 98 illustrates a proximal end portion 26604′ of the surgical staplecartridge 26600′ that is compatible with the surgical end effector26300′. In at least one arrangement, the surgical staple cartridge26600′ comprises an elongate cartridge body 26602′ that is sized to beremovably seated in the elongate channel 26310′. The cartridge body26602′ includes a cartridge slot 26608′ that extends from the proximalend portion 26604′ to a distal end portion of the cartridge body 26602′.The cartridge body 26602′ further comprises a cartridge deck surface26610′ that confronts a staple-forming undersurface of the anvil whenthe cartridge 26600′ is seated in the channel 26310′ and the anvil ispivoted to a closed position. Although not shown in FIG. 98, thesurgical staple cartridge 26600′ may have a plurality of (usually three)lines of surgical staple pockets on each side of the cartridge slot26608′ that open through the cartridge deck surface 26610′. Each staplepocket may have a staple driver (not shown) associated therewith thatsupports a surgical staple or fastener (not shown) thereon. In at leastone example, the cartridge body 26602′ is molded from a polymer materialwith the staple pockets molded or machined therein. In one arrangement,the staple pockets also open through a bottom of the cartridge body26602′ to facilitate installation of the drivers and fasteners intotheir respective pockets. Once the drivers and fasteners are insertedinto their respective staple pockets, a cartridge pan 26620′ is attachedto the bottom of the cartridge body 26602′. When installed, thecartridge pan 26620′ may, among other things, prevent the drivers andfasteners from falling out of the bottom of the cartridge body 26602′during handling and installation of the cartridge 26600′ into theelongate channel 26310′.

In the illustrated arrangement, cartridge 26600′ operably supports acamming assembly 26650′ therein. The camming assembly 26650′ comprises acentral body portion 26652′ and a series of spaced cam members 26654′that are configured to move axially within corresponding cam slots26609′ formed on each side of the cartridge slot 26608′ in the cartridgebody 26602′. The cam slots 26609′ are aligned with corresponding linesof drivers in the cartridge body 26602′ to facilitate camming contactwith a corresponding cam member 26654′ as the camming assembly 26650′ isdriven through the staple cartridge 26600′ from a beginning positionwithin the proximal end portion 26604′ of the cartridge body 26602′ toan ending position within the distal end portion of the cartridge body26602′. The central body portion 26652′ includes the proximallyextending unlocking portion 26653′ that is configured to engage the sledlatch 20514 on the firing member 20500 when the cartridge 26600′ hasbeen properly loaded into the channel 26310′.

The compatible cartridge 26600′ further includes proximally protrudingverification features or key formations 26630′ that are configured toengage the sled actuator arms 26446′ when the cartridge 26600′ isoperably seated in the channel 26310′. In the illustrated arrangement,the cartridge body 26602′ additional has two side verification featuresor cartridge key formations 26632′ that are also configured to engagethe cartridge verification member or shuttle 26442′. As will bediscussed further below, if the verification formations 26630′, 26632′are not present to contact the corresponding sled actuator arm 26446′and the cartridge verification member or shuttle 26442′, the sledactuator arms 26446′ would otherwise contact the protruding cam members26654′ and push or urge the camming assembly 26650′ distally into aposition wherein the unlocking portion 26653′ on the camming assembly26650′ is no longer in unlocking engagement with the sled latch 20514 onthe firing member 20500.

Turning now to FIGS. 99-101, in the illustrated arrangement, theverification features or key formations 26630′, 26632′ each have anangled lower alignment surface 26634′ thereon that facilitate initialinsertion of the cartridge 26600′ into the channel 26310′ at a firstposition angle FPA wherein the angled lower alignment surfaces 26634′avoid abutting contact with the sled actuator arms 26446′. The surfaces26634′ may be referred to herein as secondary surfaces. Once the userhas positioned the surgical staple cartridge 26600′ in the firstinstallation position, the cartridge 26600′ is then pivoted downwardinto the channel 26310′ into position 2 wherein vertical abutmentsurfaces 26636′ (secondary surfaces) on the verification features orcartridge key formations 26630′, 26632′ abut the corresponding verticalabutment surfaces 26641′ and 26647′ (primary surfaces) on the cartridgeverification member or shuttle 26442′. The user may then advance thecartridge 26600′ proximally into position 3 within the elongate channel26310′.

FIG. 102 illustrates insertion of an incompatible cartridge 26600X′ intothe surgical end effector 26300′. In this example, the incompatiblecartridge 26600X′ lacks the verification features or cartridge keyformations 26630′, 26632′ that were provided on the compatible cartridge26600′ to engage the cartridge verification member or shuttle 26442′.Thus, as the cartridge 26600X′ is seated in the channel 26310′, the sledactuator arms 26446′ contact the protruding cam members 26654′ and pushor urge the camming assembly 26650′ distally into a position wherein theunlocking portion 26653′ on the camming assembly 26650′ is not inunlocking engagement with the sled latch 20514 on the firing member20500. Thus, the firing member 20500 remains locked in position and theuser would be unable to distally advance the firing member 20500 intothe incompatible cartridge 26600X′.

FIGS. 103 and 104 illustrate insertion of the incompatible cartridge26600X′ into the end effector 26300′ wherein the incompatible cartridge26600X′ has been initially inserted too far proximally into the channel26310′ such that the distal end of the firing member 20500 has contactedand pushed the camming assembly 26650′ or “sled” too far distally withinthe cartridge 26600X′ so as to be in the appropriate position tounlockingly engage the sled latch 20514 portion of the firing member20500 after the cartridge 26600X′ has ultimately been seated in thechannel 26310′ in a proper position. Likewise, when the incompatiblecartridge 26600X′ is initially inserted in a diagonal position 1 as wasdescribed above an then moved to positions 2 and 3, the firing member20500 may bump the camming assembly 26650′ or sled distally out of thefiring member unlocking position such that once properly seated, thecamming assembly 26650′ would fail to unlock the firing member 20500.See FIGS. 105 and 106.

FIGS. 107-109 illustrate another cartridge verification system 26440″that may be employed with an end effector 26300″ that employs a firingmember 20500 that is axially advanced by a firing member beam 1900 inthe various manners discussed herein. As was discussed above, the firingmember 20500 comprises a firing member body 20502 that is configured toaxially pass through vertically aligned slots in the anvil (not shown),a staple cartridge, and the elongate channel 26310″. A lower footassembly (not shown) that comprises a pair of laterally extending lowerflanges extends from a bottom end of the firing member body 20502 toslidably engage corresponding channel ledges that are formed on eachside of the channel slot. An upper foot 20507 that comprises twolaterally extending anvil tabs 20509 may be formed on an upper end ofthe firing member body 20502 and is configured to slidably engage anvilledges (not shown) that are formed on each side of the anvil slot. In atleast one arrangement, the firing member 20500 further includes a pairof central tabs 20510 that extend laterally from each side of the firingmember body 20502.

The firing member body 20502 is also configured with a proximallyextending spring tail (not shown) that may be configured to operablyinterface with a firing member lockout spring (not shown) that ismounted in the elongate channel 26310″ and is configured to bias thefiring member 20500 downward in the elongate channel 26310′ into alocked position. When in the locked position, the firing member footand/or the central tabs 20510 are misaligned with corresponding passagesin the channel 20310″ and as such, should the user attempt to distallyadvance the firing member 20500 when in this locked out state, thefiring member 20500 would not move distally due to such misalignment.That is, the foot and/or central tabs 20510 contact portions of theelongate channel 26310″ to thereby prevent the distal advancement of thefiring member 20500. In one arrangement, a sled latch 20514 is formed onthe firing member body 20502 and is configured to be engaged by aproximally extending unlocking portion on a camming assembly that isoperably supported in a proximal-most starting position within acompatible cartridge that has been operably seated in the channel26310″.

When a fresh, unfired compatible staple cartridge with the cammingassembly thereof in its starting (unfired) position has been operablyinstalled in the elongate channel 26310″, an unlocking portion on thecamming assembly engages the sled latch 20514 on the firing member body20502 and moves the firing member 20500 upward into an unlocked positionwherein the lower foot assembly and/or the central tabs 20510 arealigned with their respective passages in the channel 26310″ to permitthe firing member 20500 to axially advance therein. As the user distallyadvances the firing member 20500 into the cartridge, the firing member20500 also drives the camming assembly therein which cams the driversupward to drive the staples or fasteners supported thereon into formingcontact with the underside of the anvil. A tissue cutting member 20504on the firing member 20500 then cuts through the stapled tissue. Oncethe firing member 20500 has been driven to its distal-most positioncorresponding to the ending position of the camming assembly, the firingmember 20500 is retracted back to its proximal-most position, leavingthe camming assembly in the distal end (fired position) of thecartridge. When the firing member 20500 returns to its proximal-mostbeginning position, the lock spring once again biases the firing member20500 back into its locked position. Thus, should the user inadvertentlytry to reuse the spent cartridge, the camming assembly is not in itsstarting position which is required to unlock the firing member 20500.Such firing member locking system may also be referred to herein as a“spent cartridge lockout system”.

In the arrangement depicted in FIGS. 107-109, the cartridge verificationsystem 26440″ comprises an axially movable, cartridge verificationshuttle 26442″ that is supported within the channel 26310″ for axialmovement from a distal-most cartridge engagement position to a proximalverification location within the channel 26310″. A shuttle spring 26449″is mounted within the channel 26310″ and serves to bias the cartridgeverification shuttle 26442″ into the distal-most cartridge engagementposition. As can be seen in FIGS. 107 and 108, the cartridgeverification shuttle 26442″ further includes distally extending shuttlebase members 26644″ and pair of laterally movable shuttle drive arms26450″. Each shuttle drive arm 26450″ has a drive latch feature 26452″thereon that has an angled proximal drive surface 26454″ and an angleddistal drive surface 26456″ that converge together to form a point26548″. The shuttle drive arms 26450″ are biased laterally inward into adriving position by the shuttle spring 26449″. When the shuttle drivearms 26450″ are in the driving position, the angled proximal drivesurfaces 26454″ are in driving engagement with the central tabs 20510 onthe firing member 20500 as shown in FIGS. 107 and 108. When the shuttledrive arms 26450″ are in that position, distal advancement of the firingmember 20500 will cause the seating shuttle 26442″ to move distallytherewith.

FIG. 109 illustrates a proximal end portion 26604″ of a surgical staplecartridge 26600″ that is compatible with the surgical end effector26300″ and seated within the channel 26310″. In at least onearrangement, the surgical staple cartridge 26600″ comprises an elongatecartridge body 26602″ that is sized to be removably seated in theelongate channel 26310″. The cartridge body 26602″ includes a cartridgeslot 26608″ that extends from the proximal end portion 26604″ to adistal end portion of the cartridge body 26602″. The cartridge 26600″operably supports a camming assembly 26650″ therein. The cammingassembly 26650″ comprises a central body portion 26652″ and a series ofspaced cam members 26654″ that are configured to move axially withincorresponding cam slots 26609″ formed on each side of the cartridge slot26608″ in the cartridge body 26602″. The cam slots 26609″ are alignedwith corresponding lines of drivers in the cartridge body 26602″ tofacilitate camming contact with a corresponding cam member 26654″ as thecamming assembly 26650″ is driven through the staple cartridge 26600″from a beginning position within the proximal end portion 26604″ of thecartridge body 26602″ to an ending position within the distal endportion of the cartridge body 26602″. The central body portion 26652″includes the proximally extending unlocking portion 26653″ that isconfigured to engage the sled latch 20514 on the firing member 20500when the cartridge 26600″ has been properly loaded into the channel26310″.

The compatible cartridge 26600″ further includes proximally protrudingunlocking features or cartridge key formations 26630″ that areconfigured to engage the shuttle drive arms 26450″ when the cartridge26600″ is operably seated in the channel 26310″. As can be seen in FIG.109, during the distal advancement of the firing member 20500, theverification shuttle 26442″ is driven distally until each shuttle drivearm 26450″ contacts a corresponding cartridge key formation 26630″ whichcauses the shuttle drive arms 26450″ to bias laterally outward. As thefiring member 20500 continues to move distally, the drive latch features26452″ on the shuttle drive arms 26450″ disengage from the correspondingcentral tabs 20510 on the firing member body 20502 to permit the firingmember 20500 to move distally without driving the verification shuttle26442″ distally. Thus, in such case, the verification shuttle 26442″ hasnot moved sufficiently distally so as to move the camming assembly26650″ out of unlocking engagement with the sled latch 20514 on thefiring member 20500. Therefore, the firing member 20500 may be drivendistally through the compatible cartridge 26600″ to drive the fastenerstherefrom and to cut the tissue that has been clamped in the endeffector 26300″. When the firing member 20500 is retracted back into itsstarting position, a tapered surface 20511 on each central tab 20510contacts the angled distal drive surface 26456″ on the correspondingdrive latch feature 26452″ to bias the shuttle arms 26450″ laterally topermit the central tabs 20510 to reengage the angled proximal drivesurfaces 26454″ so that the verification shuttle 26442″ can once againbe driven distally with the firing member 20500.

FIGS. 107 and 108 illustrate an incompatible cartridge 26600X″ loadedinto the surgical end effector 26300″. As can be seen in those Figures,the incompatible cartridge 26600X″ lacks the proximally protrudingunlocking features or cartridge key formations 26630″ that are providedon the compatible cartridge 26600″. Thus, when the firing member 20500is distally advanced, the cartridge verification shuttle 26442″ alsomoves distally with the firing member 20500. As the cartridgeverification shuttle 26442″ moves distally, the distal ends 26645″ ofthe distally extending shuttle base members 26644″ contact the cammingassembly 26650″ and move the camming assembly 26650″ out of unlockingengagement with the sled latch 20514 on the firing member 20500. Whenthe unlocking portion 26653″ of the camming assembly 26650″ disengagesthe sled latch 20514, the firing member body 20502 will drop intolocking engagement with the elongate channel 26310″ thereby preventingfurther distal advancement of the firing member 20500.

As can be further seen in FIGS. 108 and 109, in the illustratedarrangement, a lateral stiffener member 26470″ protrudes laterallyoutward from each shuttle arm 26450″. When the firing member 20500 andthe verification shuttle 26442″ are located in their respectiveproximal-most starting positions, each lateral stiffener member 26470″is laterally aligned with a corresponding channel notch 26472″ providedin each channel sidewall 26314″ to provide clearance for the shuttlearms 26450″ to move laterally when a compatible cartridge 26600″ hasbeen properly loaded into the end effector 26300″. However, when anincompatible cartridge 26600X″ has been loaded into the end effector26300″ and the user begins to advance the firing member 20500 as well asthe verification shuttle 26442″ distally, the lateral stiffener members26470″ are no longer aligned with the channel notches 26472″ in thechannel sidewalls 26314″ as can be seen in FIG. 108. In such instance,the lateral stiffener members 26470″ prevent the shuttle arms 26450″from biasing laterally outward out of engagement with the central tabs20510 that extend laterally from each side of the firing member body20502.

The cartridge verification systems described herein may address variousproblems that may, from time-to-time, be encountered when using an endeffector that is capable of initially accepting a variety of cartridgeswherein some of the cartridges are not otherwise particularly compatiblewith the end effector. For example, a cartridge may operably fit intothe channel of the end effector, but the cartridge may lack properfastener configurations that are compatible with the forming pockets onthe end effector anvil. The incompatible cartridge may not have theproper numbers and forms of staples, etc. The cartridge may not have acamming assembly that is compatible with the firing member lockoutarrangement employed by the end effector. Some cartridges may have anappropriate camming assembly, but the camming assembly may at some pointhave moved to a marginal unlocking position wherein the camming assemblymay or may not unlockingly engage the firing member lockout arrangement.At least some of the cartridge verification systems may address thatissue. The cartridge verification systems disclosed herein may alsoprovide the ability to differentiate between an old obsolete cartridgeand a newer more appropriate cartridge that has, for example, featuresthat are better paired to the end effector components. The cartridgeverification systems may also ensure that a cartridge is properly seatedin the end effector channel and minimize any misalignment of thecartridge in the channel wherein the proximal end of the cartridge ispositioned relative to the firing member in an undesirable positionwherein the central tabs on the firing member may get under thecartridge pan rather than on top of it as desired. Such misalignment mayresult in the damage and bending of the cartridge pan which could leadto premature locking of the firing member.

FIGS. 110-115 illustrate another cartridge verification system 27440that may be employed with an end effector 27300 that employs a firingmember 20500 (described above) that is axially advanced by a firingmember beam 1900 in the various manners discussed herein. In theillustrated arrangement, the cartridge verification system 27440comprises an axially movable cartridge verification member or shuttle27442 that is supported within a channel 27310 of the end effector 27300for axial movement from a distal-most cartridge engagement position to aproximal verification location within the channel 27310. The cartridgeverification member or shuttle 27442 may be fabricated from spring steeland include an elongate body 27444 that has a blocking hook 27446 thatis formed on a distal end 27445 of the elongate body 27444. See FIG.111. The cartridge verification member or shuttle 27442 further includesan actuator portion 27448 that is formed on a proximal end 27447 of theelongate body 27444.

Still referring to FIG. 111, the cartridge verification member orshuttle 27442 is configured to axially move within a shuttle track 27360that is formed in a channel bottom 27312 of the channel 27310. As can beseen in FIG. 111, the shuttle track 27360 comprises a curved transverseportion 27362 that extends transversely relative to a channel slot 27313that is centrally disposed in the channel bottom 27312 to accommodateaxial passage of the firing member 20500 therethrough. The transversecurved portion 27362 of the shuttle track 27360 terminates in a rampedtrack portion 27364 that is located on another side of the channel slot27313. As can be seen in FIG. 111, the ramped track portion 27364 has anangled bottom surface 27366. A proximal end 27370 of the shuttle track27360 abuts an axial spring cavity 27380 that is configured to support ashuttle spring 27382 that is journaled on a spring retainer pin 27449that protrudes proximally from the actuator portion 27448 of thecartridge verification member or shuttle 27442. The shuttle spring 27382serves to bias the verification shuttle 27442 into a distal-most, lockedposition wherein the cartridge verification member or shuttle 27442blocks distal advancement of a camming assembly 27650 and the firingmember 20500.

FIG. 110 illustrates a proximal end portion 27604 of a surgical staplecartridge 27600 that is compatible with the surgical end effector 27300.In at least one arrangement, the surgical staple cartridge 27600comprises an elongate cartridge body 27602 that is sized to be removablyseated in the elongate channel 27310. The cartridge body 27602 includesa cartridge slot 27608 that extends from the proximal end portion 27604to a distal end portion of the cartridge body 27602. The cartridge body27602 further comprises a cartridge deck surface 27610 that confronts astaple-forming undersurface of the anvil when the cartridge 27600 isseated in the channel 27310 and the anvil is pivoted to a closedposition. Although not shown in FIG. 110, the surgical staple cartridge27600 may have a plurality of (usually three) lines of surgical staplepockets on each side of the cartridge slot 27608 that open through thecartridge deck surface 27610. Each staple pocket may have a stapledriver (not shown) associated therewith that supports a surgical stapleor fastener (not shown) thereon. In at least one example, the cartridgebody 27602 is molded from a polymer material with the staple pocketsmolded or machined therein. In one arrangement, the staple pockets alsoopen through a bottom of the cartridge body 27602 to facilitateinstallation of the drivers and fasteners into their respective pockets.Once the drivers and fasteners are inserted into their respective staplepockets, a cartridge pan 27620 is attached to the bottom of thecartridge body 27602. When installed, the cartridge pan 27620 may, amongother things, prevent the drivers and fasteners from falling out of thebottom of the cartridge body 27602 during handling and installation ofthe cartridge 27600 into the elongate channel 27310.

In the illustrated arrangement, cartridge 27600 operably supports acamming assembly 27650 therein. The camming assembly 27650 comprises acentral body portion 27652 and a series of spaced cam members 27654 thatare configured to move axially within corresponding cam slots 27609formed on each side of the cartridge slot 27608 in the cartridge body27602. The cam slots 27609 are aligned with corresponding lines ofdrivers in the cartridge body 27602 to facilitate camming contact with acorresponding cam member 27654 as the camming assembly 27650 is driventhrough the staple cartridge 27600 from a beginning position within theproximal end portion 27604 of the cartridge body 27602 to an endingposition within the distal end portion of the cartridge body 27602. Thecentral body portion 27652 includes a proximally extending unlockingportion 27653 that is configured to engage the sled latch 20514 on thefiring member 20500 when the cartridge 27600 has been properly loadedinto the channel 27310.

The compatible cartridge 27600 further includes a proximally protrudingverification feature or cartridge key formation 27630 that is configuredto engage the sled actuator 27448 when the cartridge 27600 is operablyseated in the channel 27310. The verification feature 27630 biases thecartridge verification member or shuttle 27442 into the proximal-most,unlocked position wherein the camming assembly 27650 and the firingmember 20500 may be distally displaced through the cartridge 27600. Whenthe cartridge verification member or shuttle 27442 is in the unlockedposition, the blocking hook 27446 that is formed on the distal end 27445of the elongate body 27444 of the cartridge verification member orshuttle 27442 is retracted into the curved transverse portion 27362 ofthe shuttle track 27360 and does not extend across the channel slot27313 in the channel bottom 27312. When the blocking hook 27446 is notextending across the channel slot 27313, the firing member 20500 and thecamming assembly 27650 can be advanced into the cartridge 27310″.

FIGS. 114 and 115 illustrate the surgical end effector 27300 with anincompatible cartridge 27600X installed therein. In this example, theincompatible cartridge 27600X lacks the verification feature orcartridge key formation 27630 that was provided on the compatiblecartridge 27600 to engage the actuator portion 27448 of the cartridgeverification member or shuttle 27442. Thus, the shuttle spring 27382 hasbiased the cartridge verification member or shuttle 27442 distally intoits locked position wherein the blocking hook 27446 that is formed onthe distal end 27445 of the elongate body 27444 of the cartridgeverification member or shuttle 27442 extends transversely across thechannel slot 27313 and into the ramped track portion 27364. As theblocking hook 27446 enters the ramped track portion 27364, the angledbottom surface 27366 causes the blocking hook 27446 to move upward intoa position wherein the blocking hook 27446 blocks the distal advancementof the camming assembly 27650 and the firing member 20500. Thus, when inthat position, should the user unwittingly attempt to distally advancethe firing member 20500, the blocking hook 27446 will block the distaladvancement of the camming assembly 27650 and the firing member 20500.

In at least one arrangement as shown in FIG. 115, the portion of theblocking hook 27446 that transversely spans the channel slot 27313 maybe reinforced with an additional reinforcement block portion 27450 thatis attached thereto. That is the portion of the blocking hook 27446 thatis reinforced has a cross-sectional thickness that is greater than across-sectional thickness of the remaining body portions of thecartridge verification member or shuttle 26442. Alternative arrangementsare contemplated for use with those end effectors disclosed herein thatemploy an axially movable closure member for moving the anvil to aclosed position such as, for example, an end effector closure tube. Insuch end effector arrangements, for example, the end effector closuretube may be configured to bias the verification shuttle to the locked,blocking position when the closure member is actuated to close theanvil. The cartridge verification system 27440 may also be effectivelyemployed with surgical end effectors that have rotary powered firingmember arrangements with firing member lockout systems of the typesdisclosed herein.

FIGS. 116-119 illustrate an alternative surgical staple cartridge 28600that may be employed in connection with various end effectorarrangements disclosed herein. In the illustrated arrangement, thesurgical staple cartridge 28600 comprises an elongate cartridge body28602 that is sized to be removably seated in the elongate channel ofthe end effector. As can be seen in FIG. 117, the cartridge body 28602includes a cartridge slot 28608 that extends from a proximal end portion28604 of the cartridge body 28602 to a distal end portion of thecartridge body 28602. The cartridge body 28602 further comprises acartridge deck surface 28610 that confronts a staple-formingundersurface of the anvil when the cartridge 28600 is seated in thechannel and the anvil is pivoted to a closed position. Although notshown in FIG. 117, the surgical staple cartridge 28600 may have aplurality of (usually three) lines of surgical staple pockets on eachside of the cartridge slot 28608 that open through the cartridge decksurface 28610. Each staple pocket may have a staple driver (not shown)associated therewith that supports a surgical staple or fastener (notshown) thereon. In at least one example, the cartridge body 28602 ismolded from a polymer material with the staple pockets molded ormachined therein. In one arrangement, the staple pockets also openthrough a bottom of the cartridge body 28602 to facilitate installationof the drivers and fasteners into their respective pockets. Once thedrivers and fasteners are inserted into their respective staple pockets,a cartridge pan 28620 is attached to the bottom of the cartridge body28602. When installed, the cartridge pan 28620 may, among other things,prevent the drivers and fasteners from falling out of the bottom of thecartridge body 28602 during handling and installation of the cartridge28600 into the elongate channel.

In the illustrated arrangement, cartridge 28600 operably supports acamming assembly 28650 therein. The camming assembly 28650 comprises acentral body portion 28652 and a series of spaced cam members 28654,28654′ that are configured to move axially within corresponding camslots 28609 formed on each side of the cartridge slot 28608 in thecartridge body 28602. The cam slots 28609 are aligned with correspondinglines of drivers in the cartridge body 28602 to facilitate cammingcontact with a corresponding cam member 28654, 28654′ as the cammingassembly 28650 is driven through the staple cartridge 28600 from abeginning position within the proximal end portion 28604 of thecartridge body 28602 to an ending position within the distal end portionof the cartridge body 28602.

Still referring to FIG. 117, the cartridge 28600 is equipped with acamming assembly locking system 28440 that is configured to retain thecamming assembly 28650 in its starting position unless the cartridge28600 has been loaded into a compatible end effector. In the illustratedarrangement for example, the camming assembly locking system 28440comprises a laterally displaceable lock feature 28442 that comprises anactuator portion 28444 and a locking tab 28446. As can be seen in FIG.117, the locking tab 28446 is configured to be received within a lockcavity 28655 provided in a corresponding cam member 28654′ when thecamming assembly 28650 is in a locked position. See FIGS. 116 and 117.The actuator portion 28444 is configured to be contacted by an actuatorlug or other portion of the end effector anvil when the anvil is movedto a closed position. For example, an actuator lug 28411 may be formedon an anvil mounting portion of any of the various anvils disclosedherein and be configured to laterally bias the actuator portion 28444laterally into an unlocked position when the anvil is moved to a closedposition. When the actuator portion 28444 is in an unlocked position,the locking tab 28446 is moved laterally out of the lock cavity 28655 inthe cam member 28654′ and the cam assembly 28650 may then be distallyadvanced through the cartridge 28600 when the firing drive system isactivated as described herein. See FIGS. 118 and 119.

In various instances, a surgical stapling instrument comprises acartridge jaw configured to receive a replaceable staple cartridge. Thestapling instrument further comprises a staple firing system configuredto eject, or fire, staples from the staple cartridge and an anvilcomprising forming surfaces, or pockets, configured to deform thestaples. The staple firing system comprises a tissue cutting knife whichis moved from a proximal end of the staple cartridge toward a distal endduring a staple firing stroke. During the staple firing stroke, thetissue cutting knife abuts and pushes a sled in the staple cartridgewhich drives the staples toward and against the anvil. As the staplesare deformed against the anvil, the staples are implanted in the tissuein longitudinal rows and the tissue cutting knife incises the tissuebetween two of the longitudinal staple rows. After the staple firingstroke has been completed, and/or after a sufficient length of thestaple firing stroke has been completed, the tissue cutting knife isretracted proximally. However, the cartridge sled is not retractedproximally with the tissue cutting knife. Instead, the cartridge sled isleft behind at the distal-most position in which it was pushed by thetissue cutting knife. After a staple cartridge has been fired, or atleast partially fired, it is removed from the cartridge jaw and thenreplaced with another replaceable staple cartridge, if desired. At suchpoint, the stapling instrument can be re-used to continue stapling andincising the patient tissue. In some instances, however, apreviously-fired staple cartridge can be accidentally loaded into thecartridge jaw. If the tissue cutting knife were to be advanced distallywithin such a previously-fired staple cartridge, the stapling instrumentwould cut the patient tissue without stapling it. The staplinginstrument would similarly cut the patient tissue without stapling it ifthe tissue cutting knife were advanced distally through a staple firingstroke without a staple cartridge positioned in the cartridge jaw atall. To this end, the stapling instrument comprises one or more lockoutswhich prevents this from happening, as discussed in greater detailbelow.

The disclosures of U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2004/0232200,entitled SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENT HAVING A SPENT CARTRIDGE LOCKOUT,filed on May 20, 2003, U.S. Patent Application Publication No.2004/0232199, entitled SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENT HAVING A FIRINGLOCKOUT FOR AN UNCLOSED ANVIL, U.S. Patent Application Publication No.2004/0232197, entitled SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENT INCORPORATING ANE-BEAM FIRING MECHANISM, filed on May 20, 2003, U.S. Patent ApplicationPublication No. 2004/0232196, entitled SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENTHAVING SEPARATE DISTINCT CLOSING AND FIRING SYSTEMS, filed on May 20,2003, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2004/0232195, entitledSURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENT HAVING A SINGLE LOCKOUT MECHANISM FORPREVENTION OF FIRING, filed on May 20, 3003, and U.S. Patent ApplicationPublication No. 2018/0085123, entitled ARTICULATING SURGICAL STAPLINGINSTRUMENT INCORPORATING A TWO-PIECE E-BEAM FIRING MECHANISM, filed onAug. 17, 2017 are incorporated by reference in their entireties.

Referring to FIG. 120, a surgical stapling instrument 30000 comprises acartridge jaw, or channel, 30010 and a staple cartridge 30020 seated inthe cartridge jaw 30010. The staple cartridge 30020 comprises acartridge body 30022, staple cavities defined in the cartridge body30022, and staples removably stored in the staple cavities. The staplecartridge 30020 further comprises a sled 30030 and staple drivers whichare driven by the sled 30030 to eject the staples from the staplecavities as the sled 30030 is advanced distally during a staple firingstroke. The stapling instrument 30000 further comprises a firing member30040 which is configured to engage the sled 30030 and push the sled30030 distally, as discussed in greater detail below.

Further to the above, the firing member 30040 comprises a cuttingportion 30042 including a tissue knife 30044. The cutting portion 30042further comprises a distal nose 30043 which is configured to sit on ashoulder 30033 defined on the sled 30030 when the sled 30030 is in itsunfired position in the staple cartridge 30020 and the firing member30040 is moved distally from its unfired position illustrated in FIG.120. Once the distal nose 30043 is on the sled shoulder 30033, thefiring member 30040 can be advanced distally to perform the staplefiring stroke. Notably, the cutting portion 30042 further comprises afirst camming member 30046 configured to engage a cam surface of thechannel 30010 and a second camming member 30048 configured to engage acam surface on the anvil of the stapling instrument 30000 whichco-operate to position the anvil and the staple cartridge 30020 relativeto one another. That said, embodiments are envisioned without one orboth of the camming members 30046 and 30048.

Referring to FIG. 121, the firing member 30040 is biased toward thechannel 30010 by a spring and, if the sled 30030 is not in its unfiredposition when the firing member 30040 is advanced distally to start thestaple firing stroke, the distal nose 30043 of the cutting portion 30042will miss, or not land on, the shoulder 30033 and the cutting portion30042 will dive downwardly toward the channel 30010 instead. The cuttingportion 30042 comprises lockout pins 30045 extending laterally therefromwhich enter a lockout window, or recess, 30012 defined in the channel30010 when the distal nose 30043 does not land on the shoulder 30033 ofthe sled 30030. In such instances, the firing member 30040 is permittedto travel distally within the lockout window 30012; however, the distalend of the lockout window 30012 comprises a lockout shoulder 30015 whichis contacted by the lockout pins 30045 to stop the distal advancement ofthe firing member 30040. In such instances, as a result, the firingmember 30040 is locked out and prevented from performing its staplefiring stroke. Had the sled 30030 been its unfired position, however,the interaction between the distal nose 30043 of the cutting portion30042 and the shoulder 30033 of the sled 30030 would have prevented thefiring member 30040 from diving into the lockout window 30012 and thestaple firing stroke could have been performed.

Further to the above, the firing member 30040 would dive into thelockout window 30012 if the firing member 30040 were advanced distallywithout a staple cartridge positioned in and/or a staple cartridgeproperly seated in the cartridge channel 30010. In view of the above,the surgical instrument 30000 comprises a lockout which prevents thestaple firing stroke if the staple cartridge in the surgical instrument30000 is missing, improperly seated, and/or has been at least partiallyspent. That said, various instances can arise where a staple cartridgehas not been fired, i.e., all of its staples are still positioned intheir staple cavities, and, yet, the distal nose 30043 of the cuttingportion 30042 can miss the shoulder 30033 of the sled 30030 owing tovarious manufacturing tolerances, for instance. Such instances wouldcause the firing member 30040 to be locked out unnecessarily and requirea clinician to replace the staple cartridge with another staplecartridge. Such instances may not happen that often, but if they do theyare inconvenient to the clinician.

A surgical instrument 30100 is illustrated in FIG. 122 and includes animprovement which can reduce the possibility of the distal nose 30043 ofthe cutting portion 30042 missing the shoulder 30033 of the sled 30030.The surgical instrument 30100 is similar to the surgical instrument30000 in many respects but includes a staple cartridge 30120 instead ofthe staple cartridge 30020. The staple cartridge 30120 comprises acartridge body 30122, staple cavities defined in the cartridge body30122, and staples removably stored in the staple cavities. Referring toFIG. 123, the staple cartridge 30120 further comprises a sled 30030which, similar to the above, is movable distally from an unfiredposition during a staple firing stroke if the distal nose 30043 of thecutting portion 30042 catches the shoulder 30033 of the sled 30030. Ifnot, referring to FIG. 124, the cutting portion 30042 is pushed into thelockout window 30012 defined in the cartridge channel 30010 when thefiring member 30040 is advanced distally.

Referring to FIGS. 125 and 126, the cartridge body 30122 comprisesproximal ramps 30126 configured to lift the firing member 30040 upwardlywhen the firing member 30040 is advanced distally. More specifically,the lockout pins 30045 extending laterally from the firing member 30040contact ramp surfaces 30127 defined on the proximal ramps 30126 whichguide the cutting portion 30042 away from the lockout window 30012 whenthe firing member 30040 is advanced distally. They do so, further to theabove, against the biasing force of the spring pushing the firing member30040 toward the cartridge channel 30010. The lifting of the firingmember 30040 in this manner increases the probability that the nose30043 of the firing member 30040 will land on the shoulder 30033 of thesled 30030—even if the sled 30030 has been accidentally pushed slightlydistally from its unfired position. Thus, the possibility of an unfiredstaple cartridge becoming unintentionally locked out is reduced. If thestaple cartridge 30120 has been at least partially fired, however, thenose 30043 will miss the shoulder 30033 and the lockout pins 30045 willfall through a window 30125 defined between the proximal ramps 30126 andinto the lockout window 30012. Thus, as above, the surgical instrument30100 will be locked out if an at least partially spent staple cartridge30120 is seated in the cartridge channel 30010. Moreover, as above, thesurgical instrument 30100 will be locked out if a staple cartridge ismissing from the cartridge channel 30010 and the staple firing stroke isinitiated as the firing member 30040 will immediately enter the lockoutwindow 30012 owing to the absence of the proximal ramps 30126.

Notably, further to the above, the ramps 30126 are positioned proximallywith respect to the shoulder 30033 of the sled 30030. As such, thefiring member 30040 must consecutively pass the missingcartridge/improper cartridge lockout provided by the ramps 30126 and thespent cartridge lockout provided by the sled 30030 as the firing member30040 is moved distally to perform the staple firing stroke. Moreover,the ramps 30126 lift the firing member 30040 to a proper height to besupported by the sled 30030. Ultimately, the ramps 30126 of thecartridge body 30122 and the shoulder 30033 of the sled 30030 worktogether to defeat the lockouts of the stapling instrument 30100.

A staple cartridge 30220 is illustrated in FIG. 127 in accordance withat least one alternative embodiment. The staple cartridge 30220comprises a cartridge body 30222 which is similar to the cartridge body30122 in many respects. That said, the cartridge body 30222 comprisesproximal ramps 30226 which extend further proximally than the proximalramps 30126. As such, the firing member 30040 will be lifted earlier inits staple firing stroke when a staple cartridge 30220 is used. Invarious instances, the staple cartridge 30220 can include a larger dropwindow 30225 than the drop window 30125. Moreover, the proximal ramps30226 comprise ramp surfaces 30227 which are shorter than the rampsurfaces 30127. In such instances, the firing member 30040 will not belifted as high when a staple cartridge 30220 is used as compared to whena staple cartridge 30120 is used. In any event, such parameters can beused to hone an appropriate lifting motion for the firing member 30040.

As discussed above, the lockout pins 30045 of the firing member 30040are configured to contact the ramps 30226 which lift the firing member30040 such that the firing member 30040 can land on the shoulder 30033of the sled 30030 if the sled 30030 is properly positioned in the staplecartridge 30220. That said, alternative embodiments are envisioned inwhich ramps can lift any suitable portion of a staple firing member ontothe shoulder 30033 of the sled 30030. For instance, the firing member30040 can comprise laminate bars attached to the cutting portion 30042which contact the ramps 30226 and cause the firing member 30040 to belifted upwardly when the staple firing stroke is initiated.

Referring again to FIG. 127, the staple cartridge 30220 comprises a pan30024 at least partially extending under the cartridge body 30222. Thepan 30024 is configured to prevent the staple drivers and/or stapleswithin the cartridge body 30222 from falling out of the bottom of thecartridge body 30222. The pan 30024 comprises latches 30021 engaged withslots defined in the cartridge body 30222. The pan 30024 furthercomprises windows 30029 defined therein which, in co-operation withprojections extending from the cartridge body 30222, align the pan 30024with the cartridge body 30222. In addition to or in lieu of the above,the lifts ramps 30226, for example, can extend from the pan 30024.

A surgical stapling instrument 30300 is illustrated in FIG. 128. Thestapling instrument 30300 is similar to the stapling instrument 30200 inmany respects. That said, the stapling instrument 30300 comprises astaple cartridge 30320 instead of the staple cartridge 30220. The staplecartridge 30320 comprises a cartridge body 30322, staple cavitiesdefined in the cartridge body 30322, and staples removably stored in thestaple cavities. The cartridge body 30322 further comprises alongitudinal slot 30023 defined therein which is configured to receivethe firing member 30040 and, in addition, a proximal ramp 30327extending in front of the longitudinal slot 30023 which lofts the firingmember 30040 onto the sled 30030 if the sled 30030 is in, or at leastnearly in, its unfired position, as illustrated in FIG. 129. If the sled30030 has been at least partially advanced through its staple firingstroke, the shoulder 30033 will not catch the nose 30043 of the firingmember 30040 and the cutting portion 30042 will fall through a windowdefined between ramp supports 30326 and into the lockout window 30012.[0401] Referring to FIGS. 130 and 132, the ramp 30327 also comprises agate configured to pivot out of the way of the firing member 30040 whena sufficient pushing force is applied to the firing member 30040. Theramp 30327 comprises a first end rotatably mounted to one of the rampsupports 30326 and a second end releasably attached to the other rampsupport 30326. Referring to FIGS. 131 and 133, the second end of theramp 30327 is configured to release from its ramp support 30326 afterthe firing member 30040 has been lofted upwardly such that, once theramp 30327 gives way, the nose 30043 of the firing member 30040 falls onthe shoulder 30033 of the sled 30030—if the sled 30030 is in its unfiredposition, or at least close to its unfired position. At such point, theramp 30327 no longer impedes the distal movement of the firing member30040 and the firing member 30040 can be advanced distally through thelongitudinal slot 30023. The ramp 30327 remains displaced to the sidethroughout the staple firing stroke and after the firing member 30040has been retracted back into its unfired position. As such, thedisplaced ramp 30327 cannot lift the firing member 30040 if the firingmember 30040 were to be advanced distally once again. In such instances,the lockout pins 30045 of the cutting portion 30042 would be pushed intothe lockout window 30012 by the spring acting against the firing member30040 if the firing member 30040 were advanced distally before the spentstaple cartridge 30320 is replaced. Thus, the ramp 30327 acts as a spentcartridge lockout. In at least one alternative embodiment, the ramp30327 is configured to break away from the cartridge body 30322 torelease the firing member 30040.

Moreover, further to the above, the lockout arrangement of the staplinginstrument 30300 also acts as an improper/incompatible cartridgelockout. If an improper, or incompatible, staple cartridge not havingthe ramp 30327, or another suitably configured ramp, were to be seatedin the cartridge channel 30010, the firing member 30040 would not belofted onto a sled of the improper staple cartridge and, instead, thelockout pins 30045 would be forced into the lockout window 30012 therebylocking out the staple firing system. In such instances, the firingmember 30040 can be retracted back into its unfired position and theimproper/incompatible staple cartridge can be replaced with aproper/compatible staple cartridge. The accidental swapping of animproper staple cartridge for a proper staple cartridge can happen in anoperating room where certain staple cartridges are meant to be only usedwith certain stapling instruments, among other instances.

As discussed above, the ramp 30327 extends behind the sled 30030. As aresult, the ramp 30327 can protect the sled 30030 from being bumpeddistally accidentally. In various instances, the staple cartridge 30320is loaded into the stapling instrument 30300 by inserting the proximalend of the staple cartridge 30320 into the cartridge channel 30010 firstand then seating the staple cartridge 30320 in the cartridge channel30010. As such, the possibility exits that the sled 30030 will contactthe cartridge channel 30010, for example, and be pushed distally withinthe staple cartridge 30320 from its proximal unfired position. In suchinstances, the sled 30030 may no longer be positioned to defeat thestaple firing lockout of the stapling instrument 30300 when the staplefiring stroke is initiated and, thus, the stapling firing lockout willtreat this staple cartridge 30320 as being spent and it must be replacedto use the stapling instrument 30300. The ramp 30327 can prevent this asit extends proximally behind the sled 30030 and can prevent the sled30030 from being bumped distally within the staple cartridge 30320 whenthe staple cartridge 30320 is being installed.

As discussed above, the sled 30030, when properly positioned in thestaple cartridge, defeats the staple firing lockout of the staplinginstrument such that the staple firing stroke can be completed. In use,the firing member 30040 is advanced distally, at least partially, toassess whether or not the sled 30030 is properly positioned and that thestaple firing lockout has been defeated. More specifically, the firingmember 30040 is advanced distally until the firing member 30040 issupported by the sled 30030 to perform the staple firing stroke—if thesled 30030 is properly positioned in the staple cartridge 30320—orcontact the lockout shoulder 30015 if the sled 30030 is not properlypositioned in the staple cartridge 30320 or the staple cartridge 30320is missing from the cartridge channel 30010. If the firing member 30040contacts the lockout shoulder 30015, the firing member 30040 may need tobe retracted to be able to insert an unspent staple cartridge 30320 intothe cartridge channel 30010 and/or retracted to start another staplefiring stroke. With this in mind, the surgical instrument 30400 of FIGS.134 and 135 is configured to limit the travel of a firing member suchthat the firing member can be stopped before it reaches the lockoutshoulder 30015 if the staple cartridge is missing from the cartridgechannel, as discussed in greater detail below.

The firing member 30440 of the surgical instrument 30400, further to theabove, is similar to the firing member 30040 in many respects butcomprises a cutting member 30442 including secondary lockout pins 30449extending laterally therefrom. If the staple cartridge 30320 is notpositioned in the cartridge channel 30410 of the stapling instrument30400, the cutting member 30442 will immediately enter the lockoutwindow 30012 when the firing member 30440 is advanced distally and thesecondary lockout pins 30449 will quickly contact a secondary lockoutshoulder 30419 in the lockout window 30012. Thus, if a staple cartridge30320 is not present in the cartridge channel 30410, the firing member30440 will not have to travel distally until it contacts the lockoutshoulder 30015. In such instances, the distance in which the firingmember 30440 needs to be retracted is at least reduced. In certaininstances, the secondary lockout shoulder 30419 is positioned such thatthe cutting member 30442 does not need to be retracted at all. In suchinstances, as a result, an unspent staple cartridge 30320 can beinserted into the channel 30410 and the staple firing stroke can becompleted without having to retract the firing member 30440.

Further to the above, the interaction between the lockout pins 30449 andthe lockout shoulder 30419 provides a missing cartridge lockout. If thestaple cartridge 30320 is seated in the cartridge channel 30410, thecutting member 30442 engages the ramp 30327 of the staple cartridge30320 which lifts the lockout pins 30449 over the lockout shoulder30419. Stated another way, the presence of the staple cartridge 30320 inthe cartridge channel 30010 defeats the secondary staple firing lockout.That said, the sled 30030 of the staple cartridge 30320 must be properlypositioned in the staple cartridge 30320 in order for the staple firingstroke to be completed as the nose 30043 of the cutting member 30442must still land on the shoulder 30033 of the sled 30030 in order for thelockout pins 30045 to be lifted over the lockout shoulder 30015, asdescribed above. Stated another way, the presence of the sled 30030 inthe staple cartridge 30320 in its unfired position defeats the primaryfiring lockout and the presence of the staple cartridge 30320 in thecartridge channel 30410 defeats the secondary firing lockout. Thus, thestapling instrument 30400 comprises a primary missing cartridge lockoutand a secondary missing cartridge lockout, where the primary missingcartridge lockout also serves as a spent cartridge lockout.

A surgical stapling instrument 30500 is illustrated in FIG. 136. Thestapling instrument 30500 is similar to the stapling instrument 30000 inmany respects. Among other things, the stapling instrument 30500comprises a cartridge channel 30510, a staple cartridge 30520 removablypositionable in the cartridge channel 30510, a firing member 30040, anda staple firing lockout 30514. The staple firing lockout 30514 comprisesa resilient metal spring, for example, mounted in the cartridge channel30510. That said, the staple firing lockout 30514 can be comprised ofany suitable material. The staple firing lockout 30514 comprises a basemounted in the cartridge channel 30510 and flexible lock arms 30516extending from the base. Each flexible lock arm 30516 movesindependently of the other and comprises a lock window 30515 definedtherein which is configured to receive and releasably capture a lockoutpin 30045 extending from the firing member 30040. The flexible lock arms30516 are configured such that they extend inwardly toward and/oragainst the side of the firing member 30040 and are, thus, biased tocapture the lockout pins 30045. When one or both of the lockout pins30045 are captured in a lock window 30515, the staple firing member30040 is prevented from being advanced distally through a staple firingstroke.

Further to the above, the staple cartridge 30520 comprises a cartridgebody 30522, staple cavities defined in the cartridge body 30522, andstaples removable stored in the staple cavities. The staple cartridge30520 further comprises a pan 30024 attached to the cartridge body 30522and a sled configured to travel distally within the staple cartridge30520 to eject the staples from the staple cavities during a staplefiring stroke. Similar to the above, the firing member 30040 isconfigured to push the sled distally to perform the staple firing strokeonce the firing member 30040 has been unlocked. To this end, referringto FIGS. 136 and 139, the cartridge body 30522 comprises projections, orkeys, 30526 extending proximally therefrom which are configured toengage the lock arms 30516 when the staple cartridge 30520 is seated inthe cartridge channel 30510. Notably, the ends of the lock arms 30516flare outwardly such that, when the projections 30526 contact the lockarms 30516, the lock arms 30516 aren't trapped between the projections30526 and the firing member 30040. As a result, the projections 30526flex the lock arms 30516 laterally outwardly such that the lockout pins30045 extending from the firing member 30040 are no longer positioned inthe lockout windows 30515 of the firing lockout 30514 when the staplecartridge 30520 is seated in the cartridge channel 30510. Thus, the actof seating the staple cartridge 30520 in the cartridge channel 30510unlocks the stapling instrument 30500.

If a staple cartridge 30520 is not seated in the cartridge channel30510, as discussed above, the firing member 30040 remains locked by thefiring lockout 30514 and the stapling instrument 30500 cannot be used tostaple the patient's tissue. If a staple cartridge is seated in thecartridge channel 30510 that does not have the projections, or keys,30526, such as the staple cartridge 30020, for example, it will notunlock the firing lockout 30514, as illustrated in FIGS. 137 and 138,and, as a result, the stapling instrument 30500 cannot be used to staplethe patient's tissue. As depicted in FIGS. 137 and 138, the proximal endof the cartridge body 30022 does not engage, and/or sufficientlydisplace, the lock arms 30516. Thus, in this instance, the staplecartridge 30020 would be an improper staple cartridge as it does notunlock the staple firing drive of the stapling instrument 30500 and,correspondingly, the staple cartridge 30520 would be a proper staplecartridge as it can unlock the staple firing drive of the staplinginstrument 30500. As such, the firing lockout 30514 is both a missingcartridge lockout and an improper cartridge lockout. The staplinginstrument 30500 can further comprise a spent cartridge lockout. In theevent that an improper staple cartridge is seated in the staplinginstrument 30500 and the stapling instrument 30500 cannot be fired, theimproper staple cartridge can be removed and a proper staple cartridge,i.e., a staple cartridge 30520, can be seated in the stapling instrument30500 to unlock the staple firing drive.

As discussed above in connection with the stapling instrument 30000,referring again to FIG. 121, the lockout pins 30045 of the firing member30040 engage the lock shoulder 30015 if the sled 30030 is not in itsproper position in the staple cartridge 30020. As also discussed above,the firing member 30040 of the stapling instrument 30000 is advanceddistally before engaging the lock shoulder 30015 and, thus, has time toaccelerate before contacting the lock shoulder 30015. As such, thefiring member 30040 of the stapling instrument 30000 can impact the lockshoulder 30015 with significant speed and energy. As such, the lockshoulder 30015 is robustly designed to absorb this impact; however,there exists a possibility that the firing member 30040 can plow or blowthrough the lock shoulder 30015 thereby unintentionally defeating thestaple firing lockout of the stapling instrument 30000. The lockout30514 of FIGS. 136 and 137 can reduce, if not eliminate, these potentialproblems. For instance, the lock windows 30515 of the firing lockout30514 are sized and configured to prevent little, if any, proximal anddistal translation of the staple firing member 30040 while the lock arms30516 are engaged with the lockout pins 30045 and, thus, the staplefiring member 30040 has little, if any, time to accelerate before beingstopped by the distal ends of the lock windows 30515. Moreover, once thelockout pins 30045 engage the distal ends of the lock windows 30515, thelock arms 30516 are placed in tension and, as a result, are capable ofhandling significant loads before failing, if they fail at all.

As discussed above, both lock arms 30516 are disengaged from the firingmember 30040 by the cartridge body 30522 when the staple cartridge 30520is seated in the stapling instrument 30500. That said, alternativeembodiments are envisioned in which a first component of a staplecartridge unlocks a first lock arm 30516 and a second component of thestaple cartridge unlocks a second lock arm 30516 when the staplecartridge is seated in the stapling instrument 30500. For instance, acartridge body of the staple cartridge can unlock the first lock arm30516 and a sled of the staple cartridge can unlock the second lock arm30516.

A surgical stapling instrument 30600 is illustrated in FIG. 140 and asurgical stapling instrument 30700 is illustrated in FIG. 141. Thestapling instruments 30600 and 30700 are similar to the staplinginstrument 30500 in many respects. Referring to FIG. 140, the staplinginstrument 30600 comprises a cartridge channel 30610, a staple cartridge30620 removably positionable in the cartridge channel 30610, and astaple firing lockout 30614 mounted to the cartridge channel 30610 whichprevents the firing member 30040 from being advanced through a staplefiring stroke unless the staple cartridge 30620 is seated in thecartridge channel 30610. Similarly, referring to FIG. 141, the staplinginstrument 30700 comprises a cartridge channel 30710, a staple cartridge30720 removably positionable in the cartridge channel 30710, and astaple firing lockout 30714 mounted to the cartridge channel 30710 whichprevents the firing member 30040 from being advanced through a staplefiring stroke unless the staple cartridge 30720 is seated in thecartridge channel 30710. Notably, however, seating the staple cartridge30720 in the stapling instrument 30600 does not unlock the staple firingsystem of the stapling instrument 30600 and, likewise, seating thestaple cartridge 30620 in the stapling instrument 30700 does not unlockthe staple firing system of the stapling instrument 30700. Thus, thestapling instruments 30600 and 30700 can be used in the same operatingroom at the same time without the possibility of being used with thewrong staple cartridge, despite the fact that the staple cartridges30620 and 30720 may be confusingly similar.

Referring to FIG. 142, further to the above, the staple cartridge 30620further comprises a cartridge body 30622 including a proximal end 30626that is angled such that the center of the cartridge body 30622, i.e.,the portion closest to the longitudinal slot 30023, extends furtherproximally than the lateral sides of the cartridge body 30622. Thestaple cartridge 30620 further comprises a sled 30630, which is similarto the sled 30030 in many respects, that comprises a proximal end 30636having a profile that matches, or at least substantially matches, theprofile of the proximal end 30626 of the cartridge body 30622. Referringagain to FIG. 140, the firing lockout 30614 is similar to the firinglockout 30514. Among other things, the firing lockout 30614 compriseslock arms 30616 which releasingly hold the firing member 30040 in itsunfired position until the lock arms 30616 are displaced laterally bythe proximal end of the cartridge body 30622 and/or the proximal end ofthe sled 30630 to release the lockout pins 30045 from lock windowsdefined in the lock arms 30616. If the staple cartridge 30620 is removedfrom the cartridge channel 30610, the lock arms 30616 resiliently returnto their locked position.

Referring to FIG. 143, further to the above, the staple cartridge 30700further comprises a cartridge body 30722 including a proximal end 30726that is angled such that the laterals sides of the cartridge body 30722,i.e., the portions furthest away from the longitudinal slot 30023,extend further proximally than the center of the cartridge body 30722.The staple cartridge 30720 further comprises a sled 30730, which issimilar to the sled 30030 in many respects, that comprises a proximalend 30736 having a profile that matches, or at least substantiallymatches, the profile of the proximal end 30726 of the cartridge body30722. Referring again to FIG. 141, the firing lockout 30714 is similarto the firing lockout 30514. Among other things, the firing lockout30714 comprises lock arms 30716 which releasingly hold the firing member30040 in its unfired position until the lock arms 30716 are displacedlaterally by the proximal end of the cartridge body 30722 and/or theproximal end of the sled 30730 to release the lockout pins 30045 fromlock windows defined in the lock arms 30716. If the staple cartridge30720 is removed from the cartridge channel 30710, the lock arms 30716resiliently return to their locked position.

Notably, further to the above, the proximal end of the staple cartridge30620 would not displace, or at least sufficiently displace, the lockarms 30716 of the firing lockout 30714 to disengage the firing lockout30714 from the firing member 30040 if the staple cartridge 30620 were tobe seated in the stapling instrument 30700. Moreover, the proximal endof the staple cartridge 30720 would not displace, or at leastsufficiently displace, the lock arms 30616 of the firing lockout 30614to disengage the firing lockout 30614 from the firing member 30040 ifthe staple cartridge 30720 were to be seated in the stapling instrument30600. Thus, the staple cartridges 30620 and 30720 each comprise uniquekeying features which unlock their respective, or proper, staplinginstruments.

In various instances, further to the above, the cartridge body and/orsled of a staple cartridge, or staple cartridge type, can comprise oneor more unique keying features which can only unlock its respectivestapling instrument. In certain instances, the pan extending under thecartridge body can comprise a proximal feature, or key, configured tounlock the staple firing drive of its stapling instrument. Referring toFIG. 144, a cartridge pan 30824, which is similar to the pan 30024 inmany respects, comprises a proximal projection, or key, 30826 configuredto unlock the staple firing drive of a stapling instrument. Theprojection 30826 is comprised of folded sheet metal to form a tubularstructure, for example. The tubular structure is strengthened by anested interconnection including a tab 30827 and a slot 30828.

A surgical stapling instrument 30900 is illustrated in FIGS. 145 and 147and a surgical stapling instrument 31000 is illustrated in FIG. 148. Thestapling instruments 30900 and 31000 are similar to the staplinginstrument 30500 in many respects. Referring to FIG. 145, the staplinginstrument 30900 comprises a cartridge channel 30910, a staple cartridge30920 removably positionable in the cartridge channel 30910, and astaple firing lockout 30914 mounted to the cartridge channel 30910 whichprevents the firing member 30040 from being advanced through a staplefiring stroke unless the staple cartridge 30920 is seated in thecartridge channel 30910. Similarly, referring to FIG. 148, the staplinginstrument 31000 comprises a cartridge channel, a staple cartridge 31020removably positionable in the cartridge channel, and a staple firinglockout 31014 mounted to the cartridge channel which prevents the firingmember 30040 from being advanced through a staple firing stroke unlessthe staple cartridge 31020 is seated in the cartridge channel.

Notably, the staple firing lockout 30914 comprises only one lock arm30916 which extends alongside the right side of the firing member 30040.That said, the one lock arm 30916 comprises a lock window definedtherein which is configured to capture and suitably hold a lockout pin30045 of the firing member 30040 to hold the firing member 30040 in itsunfired position, as illustrated in FIG. 147, until the staple cartridge30920 is seated in the cartridge channel 30910, as illustrated in FIG.145. More specifically, the cartridge body 30922 of the staple cartridge30920 comprises a proximal projection, or key, 30926 extending from theright side of the cartridge body 30922 that engages the lock arm 30916and flexes the lock arm 30916 laterally outwardly when the staplecartridge 30920 is seated in the cartridge channel 30910. Notably, thecartridge body 30922 does not comprise a projection, or key, 30926extending from the left side of the cartridge body 30922.

Also, notably, the staple firing lockout 31014 comprises only one lockarm 31016 which extends alongside the left side of the firing member30040. That said, the one lock arm 31016 comprises a lock window definedtherein which is configured to capture and suitably hold a lockout pin30045 of the firing member 30040 to hold the firing member 30040 in itsunfired position, as illustrated in FIG. 148, until the staple cartridge31020 is seated in the cartridge channel of the stapling instrument31000. More specifically, the cartridge body 31022 of the staplecartridge 31020 comprises a proximal projection, or key, 31026 extendingfrom the left side of the cartridge body 31022 that engages the lock arm31016 and flexes the lock arm 31016 laterally outwardly when the staplecartridge 31020 is seated in the stapling instrument 31000. Notably, thecartridge body 31022 does not comprise a projection, or key, 31026extending from the right side of the cartridge body 31022.

Owing to the asymmetry of the cartridge bodies 30922 and 31022 and thecorresponding asymmetry of the staple firing lockouts 30914 and 31014,seating the staple cartridge 31020 in the stapling instrument 30900 doesnot unlock the staple firing system of the stapling instrument 30900and, likewise, seating the staple cartridge 30920 in the staplinginstrument 31000 does not unlock the staple firing system of thestapling instrument 31000. Thus, the stapling instruments 30900 and31000 can be used in the same operating room at the same time withoutthe possibility of being used with the wrong staple cartridge despitethe fact that the staple cartridges 30920 and 31020 may be confusinglysimilar. In some instances, the staple pattern produced by the staplecartridge 30920 is different than the staple pattern produced by thestaple cartridge 30120 and, as a result, the anvil of the staplinginstrument 30900 will have a different forming pocket arrangement thanthe anvil of the stapling instrument 31000. In such instances, theasymmetrical key/firing lockout arrangements disclosed herein canprevent a mismatch between the arrangement of the staple cavities andthe arrangement of the staple forming pockets.

Referring to FIGS. 149 and 150, a staple cartridge 31120 comprises acartridge body 31122 including parallel longitudinal rows of staplecavities while a staple cartridge 31220 comprises a cartridge body 31222including rows of staple cavities oriented in transverse directions.Similar to the above, referring to FIG. 149, the proximal end of thecartridge body 31122 comprises keys 31126 extending from the left sideof the cartridge body 31122—but not the right, or opposite, side of thecartridge body 31122—and the proximal end of the cartridge body 31222,referring to FIG. 150, comprises keys 31226 extending from the rightside of the cartridge body 31222—but not the left side of the cartridgebody 31222. The staple cartridge 31120 (FIG. 149) is used with a firststapling instrument having parallel longitudinal rows of anvil stapleforming pockets and a left-side staple firing lockout, such as thefiring lockout 31014 (FIG. 148), for example. The staple cartridge 31220(FIG. 150) is used with a second stapling instrument having longitudinalrows of transverse staple forming pockets and a right-side staple firinglockout, such as the firing lockout 30914 (FIG. 147), for example. Thestaple cartridge 31220 does not unlock the first stapling instrumentand, similarly, the staple cartridge 31120 does not unlock the secondstapling instrument. As such, the keys 31126 of the staple cartridge31120 cannot unlock a stapling instrument having staple forming pocketswhich extend in transverse directions and, correspondingly, the keys31226 of the staple cartridge 31220 cannot unlock a stapling instrumenthaving staple forming pockets which extend in parallel longitudinalrows.

Notably, the staple cartridge 31120 and the staple cartridge 31220 aresubstantially the same length and have substantially the same shape.Moreover, the staple cartridges 31120 and 31220 are both configured toproduce staple lines in the patient tissue which are approximately 60 mmin length. However, the staple cartridges 31120 and 31220 could both beconfigured to produce staple lines which are approximately 30 mm inlength or 45 mm in length, for example. Moreover, it is entirelypossible that the cartridge body 31122 and the cartridge body 31222 havethe same color. In various instances, a commercial supplier maycolor-code the cartridge bodies of the staple cartridges that they sellto indicate the size of the staples stored therein. For instance, thecartridge bodies containing unformed staples having an approximately 4mm unformed height are green, for example. The cartridge bodiescontaining unformed staples having an approximately 2.5 mm unformedheight could be white, for example. Thus, it is entirely possible thatthe staple cartridges 31120 and 31220 have the same color. As such, itis possible that a clinician could grab one staple cartridge when theyintended to grab the other and install the staple cartridge in the wrongstapling instrument. The improvements disclosed herein account for suchpossibilities and lockout the stapling instrument in such instances.

A surgical instrument 30800 is illustrated in FIGS. 151-155. Referringprimarily to FIGS. 153 and 154, the surgical instrument 30800 comprisesa cartridge channel 30810, a staple cartridge 30820 removably positionedin the cartridge channel 30810, a firing member 30040, and a lockout30814 mounted to the cartridge channel 30810. The lockout 30814comprises a leaf spring 30816 including a proximal end anchored in anaperture defined in the cartridge channel 30810 and a distal end whichis movable relative to the fixed proximal end. Referring primarily toFIGS. 153 and 155, the lockout 30814 further comprises a lockout box30815 configured to capture one of the lockout pins 30045 extending fromthe cutting portion 30042 of the firing member 30040 and hold the firingmember 30040 in an unfired position when the staple cartridge 30820 isnot seated in the cartridge channel 30810. The lockout box 30815comprises a distal wall configured to prevent the firing member 30040from being advanced distally, a proximal wall configured to prevent thefiring member 30040 from being retracted proximally, and a bottom wallconnecting the proximal wall and the distal wall of the lockout box30815. The top of the lockout box 30815, however, is open but could beclosed.

The staple cartridge 30820 comprises a cartridge body 30822, a sled, anda pan 30824 attached to and extending under the cartridge body 30822.Further to the above, the pan 30824 comprises a proximal projection30826 configured to engage the leaf spring 30816 of the lockout 30814when the staple cartridge 30820 is seated in the cartridge channel30810, as illustrated in FIGS. 152 and 154. When the projection 30826contacts the leaf spring 30816, the leaf spring 30816 flexes laterallysuch that the lockout pin 30045 is no longer captured in the lockout box30815 of the lockout 30814. At such point, the firing member 30040 hasbeen unlocked and the firing member 30040 can be advanced distally toperform a staple firing stroke. Referring primarily to FIG. 154, thedistal, or free, end of the leaf spring 30816 extends into a window30819 defined in the cartridge channel 30810. The window 30819 providesclearance for the leaf spring 30816 when the leaf spring 30816 is flexedby the staple cartridge 30820. Also, a bottom sidewall of the window30819 supports the distal end of the leaf spring 30816 such that thedistal end is at least simply supported. In any event, the lockout 30814provides a missing cartridge lockout and an improper cartridge lockoutfor staple cartridges, such as the staple cartridge 30020, that do nothave an appropriate key for unlocking the stapling instrument 30800.

As discussed above, the lockout 30814 is moved from a locked position(FIGS. 152 and 153) to an unlocked position (FIG. 154) when the staplecartridge 30820 is seated in the cartridge channel 30810 of the staplinginstrument 30800. This deflection is seen in FIG. 155 which illustratesthe lockout 30814 in its locked position in solid and its unlockedposition in phantom. In instances where an improper or incompatiblestaple cartridge, i.e., a staple cartridge not having a suitable key, isseated in the cartridge channel 30810, the leaf spring 30816 will not bedeflected, or at least suitably deflected, to unlock the firing member30040. Notably, the lockout 30814 further comprises a tab 30817extending from the leaf spring 30816 such that the tab 30817 moveslaterally with the leaf spring 30816 when the lockout 30814 isdeflected. When the lockout 30814 is in its locked position, asillustrated in FIG. 153, the tab 30817 prevents the anvil of thesurgical instrument 30800, i.e., the anvil 30050, from being moved intoa closed, or fully-clamped, position, as described in greater detailbelow.

The anvil 30050 is rotatably coupled to the cartridge channel 30810about pivot pins 30051 mounted in apertures defined in the cartridgechannel 30810. When the anvil 30050 is rotated toward the cartridgechannel 30810 by a closure system of the surgical instrument 30800, andthe staple cartridge 30820 is not seated in the cartridge channel 30810,a bottom surface 30057 of the anvil 30050 contacts the tab 30817 and theanvil 30050 is blocked from being moved into its closed or fully-clampedposition. When the staple cartridge 30820 is seated in the cartridgechannel 30810, however, the tab 30817 is displaced laterally such that,when the anvil 30050 is closed, the anvil 30050 does not contact the tab30817 and the anvil 30050 can be moved into its closed or fully-clampedposition. Thus, the lockout 30814 also comprises an anvil closurelockout as the lockout 30814 prevents the anvil 30050 from being closedwhen the staple cartridge 30820 is not seated in the cartridge channel30810. In such instances, the clinician will become quickly aware thatan improper staple cartridge is positioned in the cartridge channel30810 and/or that a staple cartridge is missing altogether as they won'tbe able to close the anvil 30050. Because the anvil 30050 can't beclosed onto the tissue, the staple firing stroke of the staplinginstrument 30800 would also be prevented in such instances. Inalternative embodiments where the staple cartridge jaw is rotatableinstead of the anvil, such a lockout could be used to prevent the staplecartridge jaw from being rotated into a closed or fully-clamped positionif an improper staple cartridge is positioned in the staple cartridgejaw or a staple cartridge is missing from the cartridge jaw altogether.

As discussed above, the lockout 30814 is configured to resist theclosure of the anvil 30050. To this end, further to the above, theproximal end of the lockout 30814 is fixedly supported in the cartridgechannel 30810 and the distal end of the lockout 30814 is simplysupported by the sidewalls of the window 30819. This is the case whenthe lockout 30814 is in both of its locked (FIG. 153) and unlocked (FIG.154) configurations. As such, the lockout 30814 can act as a beamsupported at both ends and is well-suited to withstand the clamping loadapplied by the anvil 30050. Similarly, the tab 30817 extending from thelockout 30814 is also supported by the cartridge channel 30810. Morespecifically, the tab 30817 is slidably supported in a slot 30818defined in the cartridge channel 30810 when the lockout 30814 is in bothof its locked (FIG. 153) and unlocked (FIG. 154) configurations. Assuch, the lockout 30814 can act as a beam supported at both ends and anintermediate position and is well-suited to withstand the clamping loadapplied by the anvil 30050. That said, any suitable support arrangementcould be used.

As discussed above, the lockout 30814 is configured to prevent the anvil30050 of the stapling instrument 30800 from being moved into a closed,or fully-clamped, position when the staple cartridge 30820 is not seatedin the cartridge channel 30810. That said, the lockout 30814 isconfigured to prevent the anvil 30050 from being substantially closed atall when the staple cartridge 30820 is not seated in the cartridgechannel 30810. In such instances, the anvil 30050 can be moved slightlytoward the cartridge channel 30810; however, the anvil 30050 isnoticeably open when the anvil 30050 contacts the tab 30817 of thelockout 30814. In various alternative embodiments, the anvil 30050 isprevented from moving at all until the staple cartridge 30820 is seatedin the cartridge channel 30810. In either event, the stapling instrument30800 is not insertable into a patient through a trocar when the anvil30050 is locked out. More specifically, a trocar comprises an innerpassageway, or cannula, that is sized and configured to closely receivea surgical instrument therein and, when the anvil 30050 is locked out asdescribed above, the distance between the anvil 30050 and the cartridgechannel 30810 is too large for the stapling instrument 30800 to fitthrough the inner passageway. As a result, in such instances, theclinician using the stapling instrument 30800 will become aware that animproper staple cartridge is positioned in the stapling instrument 30800before the stapling instrument 30800 is inserted into the patient.

A staple cartridge 31520 is illustrated in FIG. 155A. The staplecartridge 31520 comprises a cartridge body 31522 and a pan 31524attached to the cartridge body 31522. The pan 31524 comprises lock arms31521 engaged with lateral channels defined in the cartridge body 31522which hold the pan 31524 to the cartridge body 31522. The pan 31524 iscomprised of stamped metal, such as stainless steel, for example. Thepan 31524 comprises two lateral sides—one on each side of thelongitudinal slot 30023. Each lateral side of the pan 31524 extendsalong a lateral side of the cartridge body 31522 and under a portion ofthe cartridge body 31522. Each lateral side of the pan 31524 furthercomprises a proximal end 31527 that wraps around the proximal end of thecartridge body 31522. The proximal ends 31527 extend orthogonally, or atleast substantially orthogonally, to the lateral sides of the pan 31524.Each proximal end 31527 comprises a tab which is folded to form aproximally-extending key 31526. Similar to the above, the keys 31526 areconfigured to unlock a staple firing system of a stapling instrumentwhen the staple cartridge 31520 is seated in the stapling instrument.

Further to the above, each key 31526 comprises a rounded proximal endcreated by folding over the tabs outwardly such that the ends of the tabare brought back into contact with the proximal end 31527. As a result,the keys 31526 are sturdy and deflection of the keys 31526 is prevented,or at least substantially reduced. As such, the keys 31526 will reliablydeflect the firing system locks to unlock the firing system when thestaple cartridge 31520 is seated in the stapling instrument. Eachproximal end 31527 further comprises one or more retention teeth 31529which extend into slots 31528 defined in the proximal end 31527. Theslots 31528 facilitate the folding of the proximal ends 31527 and alsoprevent, or at least limit, movement and/or deflection within the keys31526. The teeth 31529 bite into the proximal end 31527 and hold the key31526 in its folded configuration.

A staple cartridge 31620 is illustrated in FIG. 155B. The staplecartridge 31620 comprises a cartridge body 31522 and a pan 31624attached to the cartridge body 31522. The pan 31624 comprises lock arms31621 engaged with lateral channels defined in the cartridge body 31522which hold the pan 31624 to the cartridge body 31522. The pan 31624 iscomprised of stamped metal, such as stainless steel, for example. Thepan 31624 comprises two lateral sides—one on each side of thelongitudinal slot 30023. Each lateral side of the pan 31624 extendsalong a lateral side of the cartridge body 31522 and under a portion ofthe cartridge body 31522. Each lateral side of the pan 31624 furthercomprises a proximal end that wraps downwardly around the proximal endof the cartridge body 31522. The proximal ends extend orthogonally, orat least substantially orthogonally, to the lateral sides of the pan31624. Each proximal end comprises a tab which is folded to form aproximally-extending key 31626. Similar to the above, the keys 31626 areconfigured to unlock a staple firing system of a stapling instrumentwhen the staple cartridge 31620 is seated in the stapling instrument.

Further to the above, each key 31626 comprises a laterally-facingU-shaped channel. More specifically, each key 31626 comprises an innerbase 31627, a laterally-extending top side 31628 extending from theinner base 31627, and a laterally-extending bottom side 31629 extendingfrom the opposite side of the inner base 31627. The U-shapedconfiguration of the keys 31626 prevents the keys 31626 from bucklingunder a longitudinal load and/or deflecting under a laterally-directedtorque. Notably, the keys 31626 are folded from tabs extending from thepan 31624 in such a manner so as to create clearance gaps 31625 underthe keys 31626. The clearance gaps 31625 are sized and configured topermit the locking pins of a firing member to pass under the keys 31626during a staple firing stroke of the firing member.

A staple cartridge 31720 is illustrated in FIG. 155C. The staplecartridge 31720 comprises a cartridge body 31522 and a pan 31724attached to the cartridge body 31522. The pan 31724 comprises lock arms31721 and 31721′ engaged with lateral channels defined in the cartridgebody 31522 which hold the pan 31724 to the cartridge body 31522. The pan31724 is comprised of stamped metal, such as stainless steel, forexample. The pan 31724 comprises two lateral sides—one on each side ofthe longitudinal slot 30023. Each lateral side of the pan 31724 extendsalong a lateral side of the cartridge body 31522 and under a portion ofthe cartridge body 31522. One lateral side of the pan 31724 furthercomprises a proximal end 31727 that wraps downwardly around the proximalend of the cartridge body 31522. The proximal end 31727 extendsorthogonally, or at least substantially orthogonally, to the lateralside of the pan 31724. The proximal end 31727 comprises a tab which isfolded to form a proximally-extending key 31726. Similar to the above,the key 31726 is configured to unlock a staple firing system of astapling instrument when the staple cartridge 31720 is seated in thestapling instrument.

Further to the above, the lateral side of the pan 31724 comprises anarcuate or circular cut-out and the proximal end 31727 comprises anarcuate or circular projection 31723 that is bent around the side of thecartridge body 31522 into the circular cut-out. The projection 31723 isclosely received in the cut-out such that the proximal end 31727 of thepan 31724 is greatly stiffened or strengthened by this arrangement. Thekey 31726 comprises an L-shaped tab bent proximally from the pan 31724.The key 31726 comprises a shoulder 31728 bent upwardly from the proximalend 31727 to create this L-shaped configuration. The shoulder 31728comprises at least one notch, or strain relief, 31729 configured tofacilitate the bending of the key 31726. The L-shaped configuration ofthe key 31726 prevents the key 31726 from buckling under a longitudinalload and/or deflecting under a laterally-directed torque. Notably, thekey 31726 is folded from a tab extending from the pan 31724 in such amanner so as to create a clearance gap 31725 under the key 31726. Theclearance gap 31725 is sized and configured to permit the locking pin ofa firing member to pass under the key 31726 during a staple firingstroke of the firing member.

A staple cartridge 31920 is illustrated in FIG. 155E. The staplecartridge 31920 comprises a cartridge body 31522 and a pan 31924attached to the cartridge body 31522. The pan 31924 comprises lock arms31921 engaged with lateral channels defined in the cartridge body 31522which hold the pan 31924 to the cartridge body 31522. The pan 31924 iscomprised of stamped metal, such as stainless steel, for example. Thepan 31924 comprises two lateral sides—one on each side of thelongitudinal slot 30023. Each lateral side of the pan 31924 extendsalong a lateral side of the cartridge body 31522 and under a portion ofthe cartridge body 31522. One lateral side of the pan 31924 furthercomprises a proximal end 31927 that wraps around the proximal end of thecartridge body 31522. The proximal end 31927 extends orthogonally, or atleast substantially orthogonally, to the lateral side of the pan 31924.The proximal end 31927 comprises a tab which is folded to form aproximally-extending key 31926. Similar to the above, the key 31926 isconfigured to unlock a staple firing system of a stapling instrumentwhen the staple cartridge 31920 is seated in the stapling instrument.

Further to the above, the key 31926 comprises an L-shaped tab bentproximally from the pan 31924. The key 31926 comprises a shoulder 31928bent upwardly from the proximal end 31927 to create this L-shapedconfiguration. The L-shaped configuration of the key 31926 prevents thekey 31926 from buckling under a longitudinal load and/or deflectingunder a laterally-directed torque. Moreover, a free edge of the shoulder31928 is welded, soldered, and/or brazed to the proximal end 31927 inorder to strengthen the key 31926. That said, any suitable number ofwelds 31929 can be used to secure or strengthen the key 31926. Notably,the key 31926 is folded from a tab extending from the pan 31924 in sucha manner so as to create a clearance gap 31925 under the key 31926. Theclearance gap 31925 is sized and configured to permit the locking pin ofa firing member to pass under the key 31926 during a staple firingstroke of the firing member.

A staple cartridge 31820 is illustrated in FIG. 155D. The staplecartridge 31820 comprises a cartridge body 31522 and a pan 31824attached to the cartridge body 31522. The pan 31824 comprises lock arms31821 engaged with lateral channels defined in the cartridge body 31522which hold the pan 31824 to the cartridge body 31522. The pan 31824 iscomprised of stamped metal, such as stainless steel, for example. Thepan 31824 comprises two lateral sides—one on each side of thelongitudinal slot 30023. Each lateral side of the pan 31824 extendsalong a lateral side of the cartridge body 31522 and under a portion ofthe cartridge body 31522. One lateral side of the pan 31824 furthercomprises a proximal end 31827 that wraps around the proximal end of thecartridge body 31522. The proximal end 31827 extends orthogonally, or atleast substantially orthogonally, to the lateral side of the pan 31824.The proximal end 31827 comprises a tab which is folded to form aproximally-extending key 31826. Similar to the above, the key 31826 isconfigured to unlock a staple firing system of a stapling instrumentwhen the staple cartridge 31820 is seated in the stapling instrument.

Further to the above, the key 31826 comprises a rounded proximal endcreated by folding over the tab outwardly such that the end of the tabis brought back into contact with the proximal end 31827. As a result,the key 31826 is sturdy and deflection of the key 31826 is prevented, orat least substantially reduced. As such, the key 31826 will reliablydeflect the firing system locks to unlock the firing system when thestaple cartridge 31820 is seated in the stapling instrument. Theproximal end 31827 further comprises one or more retention teeth 31829which extend into slots 31828 defined in the proximal end 31827. Theslots 31828 facilitate the folding of the proximal end 31827 and alsoprevent, or at least limit, movement and/or deflection within the key31826. The teeth 31829 bite into the proximal end 31827 and hold the key31826 in its folded configuration. Notably, the key 31826 is folded froma tab extending from the pan 31824 in such a manner so as to create aclearance gap 31825 under the key 31826. The clearance gap 31825 issized and configured to permit the locking pin of a firing member topass under the key 31826 during a staple firing stroke of the firingmember.

Many of the lockouts disclosed herein are defeated when a compatible orproper staple cartridge is seated in the stapling instrument. Whenseated, a staple cartridge is locked into position within the staplinginstrument. In such instances, there is little, if any, relativemovement possible between the staple cartridge and the staplinginstrument until the staple cartridge is uninstalled from the staplinginstrument.

In various instances, a surgical stapling assembly comprises a shaft andan end effector extending distally from the shaft including a first jawand a second jaw rotatable relative to the first jaw. The surgicalstapling assembly may comprise a lockout member configured to preventthe inadvertent firing of the surgical stapling assembly and/or theclamping of the surgical stapling assembly until a lockout key unlocksthe lockout member. The lockout key may be a part of a staple cartridgeconfigured to be installed in one of the first jaw and the second jaw,for example. Particularly, the lockout key may be a part of a sled ofthe staple cartridge such that the staple cartridge can unlock thelockout member when the sled is in its unfired position indicating thatthe staple cartridge is unspent when the staple cartridge is installedwithin the surgical stapling assembly. In at least one instance, furtheraction may be required to unlock the lockout with the lockout key. Forexample, an end effector may be required to attain a fully clampedconfiguration before the lockout key can unlock the lockout member. Oneexample of a lockout can be found in U.S. Patent Application PublicationNo. 2016/0249921 entitled SURGICAL APPARATUS WITH CONDUCTOR STRAINRELIEF, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,085,749, the entire disclosure of which ishereby incorporated by reference herein.

In at least one instance, surgical stapling assemblies, such as the onedescribed above, may be used with a surgical robot. The surgicalstapling assemblies can be configured to be attached to robotic systemsand operated by way of robotic arms of the robotic systems. Theserobotic systems allow for surgeons to be outside of a sterile fieldwithin which the patient is present. In at least one instance, atechnician and/or another surgeon, for example, may be located withinthe bounds of the sterile field to monitor the interface between thetools and the patient. This technician and/or surgeon may attach anddetach instruments to the robotic arms during a surgical procedure. Insome instances, it may be advantageous to be able to actively bypass thelockout member of a surgical stapling assembly. Providing this abilitycan enable a surgeon or technician to manually defeat a lockout means ofa staple cartridge when the lockout means, for whatever reason, cannotbe automatically defeated. Providing this ability may also enable asurgeon to test the operability of the lockout member to ensure that thelockout member is functional prior to using the surgical staplingassembly. In an instance where a surgeon wants to manually override thelockout member to fire a staple cartridge, a surgeon or clinician mayknow that the installed staple cartridge is a proper unfired staplecartridge and may want to fire the staple cartridge regardless of thefact that the lockout member was not actually defeated. In at least oneinstance, the clinician may want remove that lockout member from thefiring sequence and prevent it from being a part of the firing stroke.Moreover, providing direct access to the lockout member within the endeffector itself for manual unlocking can provide an advantage with orwithout a system that automatically defeats the lockout member. Directaccess to the lockout member within the end effector can eliminateadditional components that otherwise may be present in a systemutilizing an unlocking mechanism to unlock the lockout member that isfurther upstream of the lockout member. Using an unlocking mechanismfurther upstream to the lockout member within the shaft of the surgicalinstrument, for example, can introduce additional components that mightjam or fail during the application of an unlocking actuation.

FIGS. 156-160 depict a surgical stapling assembly 41000 configured toclamp, staple, and cut the tissue of a patient. The surgical staplingassembly 41000 is configured to be attached to, detached from, andoperated by a surgical robot and/or a surgical instrument handle. Thesurgical stapling assembly 41000 comprises a shaft 41100, a first jaw41200 pivotably supported within the shaft 41100, and a second jaw 41300attached to the shaft 41100. The first jaw 41200 is movable between anunclamped configuration and a clamped configuration to clamp and unclamptissue positioned between the first jaw 41200 and the second jaw 41300.The surgical stapling assembly 41000 further comprises a staplecartridge 41230 comprising a plurality of staples removably storedtherein. The staple cartridge 41230 is configured to be installed intothe first jaw 41200 and replaced with other staple cartridges. Thesurgical stapling assembly 41000 further comprises a firing member 41400extending through the shaft 41100 that is configured to move the firstjaw 41200 relative to the second jaw 41300 between the unclampedconfiguration and the clamped configuration, deploy staples from thestaple cartridge 41230, and cut tissue during a firing stroke with aknife, or blade, 41422. The firing member 41400 is configured to beactuated by a drive system of a surgical robot and/or a surgicalinstrument handle. Embodiments are envisioned where the firing member41400 is driven with a rotary drive shaft. Embodiments are alsoenvisioned where the jaw configured to receive the staple cartridge isfixed to the shaft and the jaw containing the anvil is movable between aclamped configuration and an unclamped configuration.

The surgical stapling assembly 41000 further comprises a lockout 41500(FIG. 160) configured to prevent the firing member 41400 from movingdistally past a specific position unless a proper unspent staplecartridge is installed within the first jaw 41200 and the first jaw41200 is in a fully clamped configuration. In at least one instance, thefiring member 41400 is permitted to move a first distance between a homeposition and the specific position regardless of the condition of thelockout 41500 to permit clamping and unclamping of tissue, as discussedin greater detail below. The lockout 41500 is biased toward a lockedconfiguration where the firing member 41400 is prevented from movingdistally beyond the specific position. The lockout 41500 is movable intoan unlocked configuration where the firing member 41400 is permitted tomove distally beyond the specific position to deploy staples from thestaple cartridge 41230. Discussed in greater detail below, the surgicalstapling assembly 41000 further comprises a direct access orificedefined therein configured to allow a clinician to manually, orartificially, unlock the lockout 41500, i.e., move the lockout 41500into the unlocked configuration.

The first jaw 41200 comprises a channel 41210 configured to receive thestaple cartridge 41230 therein. The staple cartridge 41230 is configuredto be installed within the channel 41210 and readily replaced withanother staple cartridge. The staple cartridge 41230 further comprises asled 41235 movable between an unfired position and a fired position toeject the staples from the staple cartridge 41230 as the sled 41235 ispushed distally through a cartridge body 41232 of the staple cartridge41230 by the firing member 41400. The second jaw 41300 comprises ananvil 41320 comprising a staple-forming surface 41310 configured to formthe staples ejected from the staple cartridge 41230.

The first jaw 41200 is movable relative to the second jaw 41300 betweenan unclamped configuration and a clamped configuration by the firingmember 41400. Embodiments are envisioned where the second jaw 41300 ismovable relative to the first jaw 41200. To clamp tissue, the firingmember 41400 is moved distally a first distance from a home position tocam the first jaw 41200 into a clamped configuration. Referring to FIG.159, the firing member 41400 comprises anvil-camming portions 41423configured to engage a ramp 41332 of an anvil channel 41330 definedwithin the second jaw 41300 and channel-camming portions 41424configured to engage a ramp 41222 of a bottom surface 41220 of the firstjaw 41200. The anvil-camming portions 41423 and the channel-cammingportions 41424 extend laterally from a distal portion 41420 of thefiring member 41400 and are configured to control the distance betweenthe first jaw 41200 and the second jaw 41300 as the distal portion 41420of the firing member moves through its firing stroke. During the firstdistance discussed above, the anvil-camming portions 41423 and thechannel-camming portions 41424 engage the first and second jaws 41200,41300 and cam the first jaw 41200 into a clamped configuration. Furtherdistal movement of the distal portion 41420 of the firing member 41400holds the first and second jaws 41200, 41300 relative to each otherduring the firing stroke and pushes the sled 41235 distally to ejectstaples stored within the staple cartridge 41230.

The surgical stapling assembly 41000 further comprises a lockout 41500configured to prevent the firing member from being advanced distallybeyond the first distance unless a proper unspent staple cartridge isinstalled within the first jaw 41200 and the first jaw 41200 is fullyclamped. The lockout 41500 comprises a lockout member 41510 pivotablysupported within the shaft 41100 and movable between an unlockedconfiguration (FIG. 157) where the firing member 41400 is permitted tomove beyond the first distance to complete the firing stroke and alocked configuration (FIG. 158) where the firing member 41400 isprevented from moving beyond the first distance. The lockout member41510 is biased into the locked configuration by a spring 41520. Aproper unspent staple cartridge installed within the channel 41210 canovercome the bias provided by the spring 41520 when the first jaw 41200is moved into the clamped configuration.

To unlock the lockout 41500, the first jaw 41200 must be moved into itsclamped configuration to present the sled 41235 to engage and unlock thelockout member 41510. The sled 41235 cannot defeat the lockout 41500when the first jaw 41200 is not in its clamped configuration.Embodiments are envisioned where the cartridge jaw is not pivotable but,rather, the anvil jaw is pivotable. In such embodiments, mere insertionof the staple cartridge presents the sled 41235 to defeat the lockout41500. In such embodiments, the lockout 41500 can be defeated prior tothe application of any clamping motions to the anvil jaw.

To unlock the lockout 41500, as discussed above, a proper unspent staplecartridge must be installed in the first jaw 41200 of the surgicalstapling assembly 41000. The staple cartridge 41230 comprises a sled41235 comprising a lockout key 41237 extending proximally therefrom. Thelockout key 41237 is configured to move the lockout member 41510 intothe unlocked configuration when the sled 41235 is in an unfired positionand the first jaw 41200 is moved into the clamped configuration. Tounlock the lockout, the lockout key 41237 pivots the lockout member41510 into the unlocked configuration by moving a lockout ledge, or leg,41511 of the lockout member 41510 away from a lockout notch 41412defined in a firing shaft, or bar, 41410 of the firing member 41400which would otherwise prevent distal movement of the firing member 41400beyond an initial distance used for clamping when the first jaw 41200 ismoved into the clamped configuration. The lockout member 41510 comprisesa pair of arms 41512 extending distally from the lockout ledge 41511which are configured to straddle the firing member 41400 as the firingmember 41400 moves through its firing stroke.

FIG. 157 illustrates the lockout key 41237 engaged with distal ends41516 of the arms 41512 on a distal end 41515 of the lockout member41510. As illustrated in FIG. 157, the lockout member 41510 has pivotedrelative to the shaft 41100 about nubs 41513 (FIG. 160) of the lockoutmember 41510 into the unlocked configuration. When the lockout member41510 is in the unlocked configuration, the lockout notch 41412 of thefiring shaft 41410 will clear the lockout ledge 41511 of the lockoutmember 41510 thereby permitting the firing member 41400 to move distallythrough the staple cartridge 41230. Referring to FIG. 158, if thelockout key 41237 is not present upon clamping the first jaw 41200 intothe clamped configuration, the lockout member 41510 remains biased inthe locked configuration by way of the spring 41520 (FIG. 159) pushingagainst the tabs 41514 (FIG. 160) of the lockout member 41510 where thelockout ledge 41511 engages the notch 41412 of the firing shaft 41410 toblock distal movement of the firing member 41400 beyond the initialdistance used for clamping.

As discussed above, the surgical stapling assembly 41000 furthercomprises a direct access orifice 41425 defined therein configured toallow a clinician to artificially move the lockout member 41510 into theunlocked configuration. The orifice 41425 can be positioned in anysuitable component such that a tool 41590 can access the lockout member41510 through the orifice 41425 to move the lockout member 41510 intothe unlocked configuration. The orifice 41425 is defined in thechannel-camming portions 41424 of the distal portion 41420 of the firingmember 41400. The orifice 41425 may comprise access slits defined in thechannel-camming portions 41424, for example. In at least one instance,the orifice 41425 is defined in the shaft 41100 and/or a componentthereof. Nonetheless, the lockout member 41510 is directly accessiblethrough the orifice 41425. The tool 41590 comprises a hook portion 41591configured to be inserted through the orifice 41425 and an opening 41517defined between the arms 41512 of the lockout member 41510 to hook, orlatch, onto an upper side of the ledge 41511 to pull the ledge 41511 andthus pivot the lockout member 41510 into the unlocked configurationovercoming the spring bias which encourages the lockout member 41510into the locked configuration. The orifice 41425 can be configured suchthat commonly-avoidable tools, such as a screwdriver, for example, donot fit within the orifice, or exterior access aperture, 41425. Portionsof the lockout member 41510 are illustrated in phantom in the unlockedconfiguration where tool 41590 has positioned the lockout member 41510into the unlocked configuration. Arms 41512′ and ledge 41511′ arephantom versions of the arms 41512 and ledge 41511 of the lockout member41510 illustrated in the unlocked configuration.

Once the lockout member 41510 is manually, or artificially, defeated tomove the lockout 41500 into the unlocked configuration, the firingmember 41400 is permitted to move distally past an unfired location andinto the staple cartridge 41230. The unfired location is defined as theposition after clamping but before firing. Once the firing member 41400is advanced distally past its unfired position, the tool 41590 can bedisengaged from the lockout member 41510 and removed from the orifice41425 to allow the lockout 41500 to resume normal operation. Forinstance, the lockout member 41510 will pivot into the lockedconfiguration when the firing member 41400 returns to the unfiredlocation after having at least partially fired a staple cartridge.During the firing stroke, the lockout member 41510 is accessible withthe tool 41590 through a secondary access aperture 41160 defined betweena proximal end of the channel 41210 and a distal end of the shaft 41100.That said, the lockout member 41510 will remain defeated during thestaple firing stroke. In at least one instance, the direct accessorifice is positioned within the shaft 41100, for example, and canprovide access to the lockout member 41510 during the firing stroke ofthe firing member 41400. In at least one instance, the secondary accessaperture 41160 comprises the primary lockout access aperture.

The lockout 41500 can be positioned in any suitable location. In atleast one instance, the lockout 41500 may be positioned proximal to thedistal portion 41420 of the firing member 41400 when the firing member41400 is in its proximal most position (such as the position illustratedin FIG. 159). In such an instance, the access aperture may be defined ina shaft housing, or frame, of the surgical stapling assembly 41000. Inat least one instance, the access aperture is defined in the channel41210.

In at least one instance, the tool 41590 can be inserted through thedirect access aperture 41425 to unlock the lockout 41500 prior to theinsertion of the staple cartridge 41230 into the channel 41210. Movingthe lockout 41500 to its unlocked configuration prior to the insertionof a staple cartridge can aid the staple cartridge installation bypreventing the lockout 41500 from engaging the staple cartridge duringinstallation. Some lockouts disable improper staple cartridges bybumping a sled of the staple cartridge from its unfired, firableposition to an unfired, unfirable position which can cause the staplecartridge to become instantly spent. Moreover, such lockouts may bump asled of a proper staple cartridge during installation of the properstaple cartridge. Unlocking the lockout 41500 prior to installation ofthe staple cartridge can ensure that the proper staple cartridge is notdisabled accidentally during installation.

FIGS. 161 and 162 depict a surgical stapling assembly 42000 for use inclamping, stapling, and cutting the tissue of a patient. The surgicalstapling assembly 42000 is similar to other stapling assembliesdescribed herein in many respects. The surgical stapling assembly 42000comprises a firing assembly 42100 and a cartridge channel 42200configured to receive a staple cartridge therein. The firing assembly42100 is configured to push a sled of a proper unspent staple cartridgeinstalled within the cartridge channel 42200 to deploy the staples ofthe staple cartridge and cut the stapled tissue. The surgical staplingassembly 42000 further comprises a lockout 42300 configured to preventthe firing assembly 42100 from being advanced through an improper staplecartridge. The lockout 42300 comprises a spring 42310 which biases thelockout 42300 toward a locked configuration. The lockout 42300 isconfigured to be pushed proximally by a proper unspent staple cartridgeto unlock the firing assembly 42100. Notably, the lockout 42300 isconfigured such that lockout 42300 does not accidentally push the sledof the proper staple cartridge into a position which would induce alockout condition for the firing assembly 42100. The lockout 42300 canemploy any suitable lockout method. The firing assembly 42100 is similarto other firing assemblies described herein.

The surgical stapling assembly 42000 further comprises a direct accesscutout, or aperture, 42210 defined in the bottom of the cartridgechannel 42200 at a proximal end of a longitudinal slot 42230 defined inthe cartridge channel 42200. The firing assembly 42100 is movablethrough the slot 42230 of the cartridge channel 42200 during a staplefiring stroke. The direct access cutout 42210 allows for a tool to beinserted within the surgical stapling assembly 42000 to access thelockout 42300 directly. The tool can be inserted through the directaccess cutout 42210 to move the lockout 42300 into an unlockedconfiguration (FIG. 162). Unlocking the lockout 42300 in this manner canbe referred to as artificially unlocking the lockout 42300 because anunspent staple cartridge has not automatically unlocked the lockout42300 for whatever reason. The direct access cutout 42210 comprises aproximal end 42211 and a distal end 42213 comprising a wider cutoutportion than the proximal end 42211. The wider cutout portion of thedistal end 42213 can aid in the proper insertion of the tool into thechannel 42200. For example, the tool can comprise a lock-engagingportion that fits in the distal end 42213 but not the proximal end 42211thereby eliminating the possibility of mis-inserting the tool in theproximal end 42211. Moreover, the lockout 42300, and its positionrelative to other components of the surgical stapling assembly 42000, isalso directly visible through the direct access cutout 42210.Nonetheless, a tool can be inserted through the cutout 42210 to pulland/or push the lockout 42300 proximally to overcome the spring bias andmove the lockout 42300 into the unlocked configuration. The tool canalso be removed and disengaged from the lockout 42300 such that thelockout 42300 can resume normal operation. Moreover, providing theability to manually move the lockout 42300 may allow a clinician to movethe lockout 42300 away from its locked position before installing astaple cartridge into the cartridge channel 42200 to prevent the lockout42300 from moving a sled of the staple cartridge that is being installedinto the cartridge channel 42200 prematurely.

FIGS. 163 and 164 depict a surgical stapling assembly 43000 comprising afiring assembly 43100, a frame 43400 that supports the firing assembly43100 therein, a cartridge channel 43300 pivotably attached to the frame43400, and a lockout key mechanism 43500 configured to defeat a lockoutof the surgical stapling assembly 43000. The surgical stapling assembly43000 can comprise any suitable lockout; however, a diving knife lockoutwhere the firing assembly 43100 falls into a locking recess in theabsence of a proper unspent staple cartridge being positioned in thecartridge channel 43300 is described below.

The firing assembly 43100 comprises a firing shaft 43110 and a firingmember 43120 attached to the distal end of the firing shaft 43110.Although a linear firing shaft is illustrated, the firing assembly 43100may be configured with a rotary drive shaft. The firing shaft 43110 isconfigured to be actuated by a firing driver of a surgical instrumenthandle and/or a surgical robot, for example. Any suitable drivemechanism may be used. The firing member 43120 comprises anvil-cammingpins 43122 and channel camming pins 43123 extending laterally therefrom.The pins 43122, 43123 are configured to control the clamping pressure onthe tissue captured within the surgical stapling assembly 43000 during afiring stroke. The firing member 43120 further comprises a cutting edge43121 configured to cut the clamped tissue. The firing member 43120further comprises a ledge, or distal nose, 43124 configured to engageand/or rest on top of a sled of an unfired proper staple cartridge suchthat the firing member 43120 does not fall into the lockout recess.

The firing assembly 43100 further comprises an extension 43111configured to be biased downwardly toward the channel 43300 by a springmember mounted within the frame 43400. Discussed in greater detailbelow, the downward bias of the extension 43111 encourages the firingassembly 43100 toward its locked out condition. The downward bias isovercome when an unspent proper staple cartridge is installed within thecartridge channel 43300.

The lockout key mechanism 43500 comprises a spring 43530, a wedge 43520slidably supported within the frame 43400, and a lifter spring 43510comprising a proximal end 43511 mounted to the frame 43400. The wedge43520 comprises a ramp 43521 on which a distal end 43512 of the lifterspring 43510 rests. When a staple cartridge is inserted into thecartridge channel 43300, the staple cartridge 43200 pushes the wedge43520 proximally. Proximal movement of the wedge 43520 causes the lifterspring 43510 to lift the firing member 43120 to defeat a first stage ofthe lockout. The lifter spring 43510 comprises a notch 43513 defined onthe distal end 43512 configured to engage lifter pins 43125 extendinglaterally from the firing member 43120 when the lifter spring 43510 islifted by the wedge 43520 of the staple cartridge 43200.

Once the first stage of the lockout has been overcome, the firingassembly 43100 is advanced distally to assess the second stage of thelockout. This second stage of the lockout is defeated when the sled ofthe staple cartridge 43200 is in its proximal unfired position. Similarto the above, the firing shaft 43110 can be lifted onto the sled by thestaple cartridge 43200 as the firing shaft 43110 is advanced distally.

To cause the nose 43124 of the firing member 43120 to land on an unfiredsled of the staple cartridge 43200 to defeat the second stage of thelockout and prevent the firing member 43120 from falling into thelockout recess, a cartridge body key 43211 is provided on a proximal end43201 of the cartridge body 43210. Referring now to FIG. 164, as thestaple cartridge 43200 is installed in the cartridge channel 43300, thecartridge body key 43211 pushes the wedge 43520 proximally and overcomesthe spring bias provided by the spring 43530. As the wedge 43520 ispushed proximally, the wedge 43520 lifts the lifter spring 43510. Atthis point, the notch 43513 can grab the lifter pins 43125 and lift thefiring assembly 43100. Lifting the firing assembly 43100 in this mannercan be referred to as defeating the first stage of the lockout. Notably,a staple cartridge without the proper cartridge lockout key may be ableto be installed in the cartridge channel 43300 but will not be able tolift the firing assembly 43100. Once the staple cartridge 43200 isinstalled in the cartridge channel 43300 and the firing assembly 43100is lifted, the firing assembly 43100 can be advanced distally such thatthe notch 43513 can hold the firing assembly 43100 at the proper heightand for the proper distance so that the nose 43124 can land on theunfired sled in the staple cartridge 43200 thereby avoiding the lockoutrecess. Landing the nose 43124 on the unfired sled can be referred to asdefeating the second stage of the lockout. If the sled in the staplecartridge 43200 is not in its unfired position, the firing assembly43100 will fall into the lockout recess and not be able to be advanceddistally beyond its locked configuration. In at least one instance, thecartridge body key 43211 extends proximally from a cartridge body pan43220 of the staple cartridge 43200.

FIG. 165 depicts a first staple cartridge 43610 comprising a proximalend 43611 and a lockout key 43613 extending from the proximal end 43611.The lockout key 43613 comprises a first profile. FIG. 165 depicts asecond staple cartridge 43620 comprising a proximal end 43621 and alockout key 43623 extending from the proximal end 43621. The lockout key43623 comprises a second profile that is different than the firstprofile of the lockout key 43613. The first staple cartridge 43610 isconfigured to unlock only the stapling instruments it is compatible withand the second staple cartridge 43620 is configured to unlock only thestapling instruments it is compatible with.

Referring back to the lockout key mechanism 43500 in FIGS. 163 and 164,cartridges using different key profiles can be used to ensure that thefiring member is lifted at the appropriate location and with theappropriate height. Lifting the firing member at different locations,referring to FIG. 165, causes different lift timings of the firingmember. This can be used to ensure that an improper staple cartridge cannot unlock a non-compatible instrument. FIGS. 166 and 167 contain graphsillustrating the different lift timings 43610′, 43620′ and displacements43610″, 43620″ provided by the cartridges 43610, 43620. The staplecartridge 43610 is configured to lift the firing member earlier than thestaple cartridge 43620. In a compatible surgical instrument, the firststaple cartridge 43610 will cause a wedge, for example, such as thewedge described herein, to lift the firing member at the appropriatetime and location such that the firing member will land on an unfiredsled of the first staple cartridge 43610 so as to defeat the lockout andenable the firing member to be advanced distally to perform a staplefiring stroke. In an incompatible surgical instrument, the first staplecartridge 43610 will cause a wedge, for example, to lift the firingmember at the incorrect time and location causing the firing member tofall before reaching the sled or causing the firing member to bump thesled distally before being lifted onto the sled. Both situationsinvolving installing an incompatible cartridge and instrument will causethe firing member to enter a locked out condition upon an attempt tomove the firing member through a firing stroke. The second staplecartridge 43620 works in a similar manner. That said, the second staplecartridge 43620 cannot unlock an instrument compatible with the firststaple cartridge 43610, and vice versa.

FIGS. 168 and 169 depict a system 44000 comprising a first cartridge44100 (FIG. 168) and a second cartridge 44200 (FIG. 169). The firststaple cartridge 44100 comprises a cartridge body 44110 comprising aproximal end 44111, a distal end 44112, and a plurality of staplecavities 44114 arranged in rows extending between the proximal end 44111and the distal end 44112. The first staple cartridge 44100 furthercomprises a cartridge pan 44130 configured to hold staples in thecartridge body 44110, and a sled 44120 configured to deploy the staplesfrom the cartridge body 44110. The cartridge body 44110 furthercomprises a longitudinal slot 44113 defined therein configured toreceive a firing member of a surgical stapling assembly. Thelongitudinal slot 44113 defines a first lateral side and a secondlateral side labeled “A” and “B” respectively. The cartridge body 44110further comprises a lockout key 44116 extending from a proximal face44115 of the first lateral side “A” of the cartridge body 44110.

The second staple cartridge 44200 comprises a cartridge body 44210comprising a proximal end 44211, a distal end 44212, and a plurality ofstaple cavities 44214 arranged in rows extending between the proximalend 44211 and the distal end 44212. The second staple cartridge 44200further comprises a cartridge pan 44230 configured to hold staples inthe cartridge body 44210, and a sled 44220 configured to deploy thestaples from the cartridge body 44210. The cartridge body 44210 furthercomprises a longitudinal slot 44213 defined therein configured toreceive a firing member of a surgical stapling assembly. Thelongitudinal slot 44213 defines a first lateral side and a secondlateral side labeled “A” and “B” respectively. The cartridge body 44210further comprises a lockout key 44216 extending from a proximal face44215 of the second lateral side “B” of the cartridge body 44210.

The staple cavities 44114 comprise three rows on each side of thelongitudinal slot 44113. Each row defines a row axis with which eachstaple cavity in that row is aligned. In other words, the proximal endand the distal end of each cavity in a single row is aligned with therow axis of that row. The staple cavities 44214 comprise three rows oneach side of the longitudinal slot 44213. Each row defines a row axiswith which each staple cavity in that row is transversely aligned. Eachside of the staple cartridge 44200 comprises an outer row of staplecavities 44214, an inner row of staple cavities 44214, and a middle rowof staple cavities 44214 positioned between the outer row of staplecavities 44214 and the inner row of staple cavities 44214. The staplecavities 44214 of the middle row define cavity axes that are transverseto cavity axes defined by the staple cavities 44214 in the inner row andthe staple cavities 44214 in the outer row.

The system 44000 provides a way to prevent an improper staple cartridgefrom being used with a surgical stapling assembly by providing thelockout keys of each cartridge on different sides of the staplecartridge. Providing the lockout keys on different sides of the staplecartridge prevents the use of a stapling assembly comprisingcorresponding staple-forming pockets for the first staple cartridge44100 with the second staple cartridge 44200 and the use of a staplingassembly comprising corresponding staple-forming pockets for the secondstaple cartridge 44200 with the first staple cartridge 44100. Thus, thefirst staple cartridge 44100 will not be able to unlock a firing lockoutof a surgical stapling assembly meant for the second staple cartridge44200 and the second staple cartridge 44200 will not be able to unlock afiring lockout of a surgical stapling assembly meant for the firststaple cartridge 44100. This prevents improper cartridge installationwhich may result in deploying staples against an anvil withnon-corresponding staple-forming pockets.

FIGS. 170-179 depict a surgical stapling assembly 45000 configured toclamp, staple, and cut the tissue of a patient. The surgical staplingassembly 45000 can be used with a surgical robot and/or a surgicalinstrument handle. The surgical stapling assembly 45000 comprises afirst jaw 45200, a second jaw 45400 movable relative to the first jaw45200 between an unclamped configuration and a clamped configuration,and a firing assembly 45500. The surgical stapling assembly 45000further comprises a replaceable staple cartridge 45300 comprising aplurality of staples removably stored therein which are configured to bedeployed by the firing assembly 45500. The first jaw 45200 comprises achannel 45210 configured to receive the replaceable staple cartridge45300. The second jaw 45400 comprises an anvil 45410 comprising astaple-forming surface 45415 configured to form the staples deployedfrom the staple cartridge 45300. The first jaw 45200 further comprisespin apertures 45212 (FIG. 171) in which pivot pins 45413 of the secondjaw 45400 are received to permit the second jaw 45400 to pivot relativeto the first jaw 45200. Embodiments are envisioned where the fixed jawcomprises the anvil and the movable jaw comprises the channel and thestaple cartridge.

To clamp tissue with the surgical stapling assembly 45000, the secondjaw 45400 comprises a camming surface 45412 formed on a proximal end45411 thereof which is configured to be engaged by a closure member. Theclosure member comprises a closure tube, for example, but can compriseany other suitable configuration. The closure member is configured tocam the second jaw 45400 from the unclamped configuration to the clampedconfiguration toward the channel 45210 by engaging and sliding along thecamming surface 45412. To unclamp the surgical stapling assembly 45000,the closure member is retracted proximally. A spring may be provided tobias the second jaw 45400 into the unclamped configuration as theclosure member disengages the camming surface 45412.

To staple and cut tissue with the surgical stapling assembly 45000, aproper unspent staple cartridge must be installed within the surgicalstapling assembly 45000. When a proper unspent staple cartridge isinstalled within the channel 45210, the firing assembly 45500 can beactuated through the staple cartridge 45300 to push a sled 45340 of thestaple cartridge 45300 distally from an unfired position to a firedposition to deploy the staples stored within the staple cartridge 45300during a staple firing stroke. As the firing assembly 45500 is movedthrough the staple firing stroke, a cutting edge 45523 of the firingassembly cuts the tissue clamped between the first jaw 45200 and thesecond jaw 45400. In at least one instance, the cutting edge 45523trails behind the staple deployment to prevent tissue from being cutbefore the tissue is stapled.

Referring primarily to FIGS. 172-175, the firing assembly 45500comprises a firing member 45520 comprising the cutting edge 45523,anvil-camming portions 45521 and channel-camming portions 45522configured to control the distance between the first jaw 45200 and thesecond jaw 45400 during the staple firing stroke, andlaterally-extending portions 45525 positioned between the anvil-cammingportions 45521 and the channel-camming portions 45522 configured to fallinto a lockout as discussed in greater detail below. The firing member45520 further comprises a tail 45526 extending proximally therefromwhich is configured to interface with a spring 45240 mounted in theshaft as discussed in greater detail below.

To prevent the firing assembly 45500 from being advanced through animproper and/or spent staple cartridge, the surgical stapling assembly45000 further comprises a lockout system. The surgical stapling assembly45000 comprises a diving-knife lockout such as those disclosed hereinwhere the firing assembly 45500 falls into a lockout pocket if a properunspent staple cartridge is not installed within the surgical staplingassembly 45000. A proper unspent staple cartridge, such as the staplecartridge 45300, is configured to prevent the firing assembly 45500 fromfalling into the lockout pocket by lifting the firing assembly 45500when the staple cartridge 45300 is unspent. In such instances, a distalend of the firing assembly will land on an unfired sled of the staplecartridge 45300. The firing assembly 45500 may then be advanced throughthe staple cartridge 45300.

The staple cartridge 45300 includes a lockout key 45330 to lift thefiring assembly 45500 to the proper height and proper distance to getthe firing assembly 45500 to land on an unfired sled and defeat thelockout of the surgical stapling assembly 45000. The staple cartridge45300 further comprises a cartridge body 45310 comprising a proximal end45301 comprising a proximal face 45313 and a longitudinal slot 45311configured to receive the firing assembly 45500 during the staple firingstroke. The lockout key 45330 extends proximally from the proximal face45313 of the cartridge body 45310 and comprises a pair of protrusionsdefining a proximal longitudinal slot portion 45333 of the longitudinalslot 45311. The proximal longitudinal slot portion 45333 is configuredto straddle the firing member 45520 when the staple cartridge 45300 isinstalled in the channel 45210. Each protrusion of the lockout key 45330comprises a ramped surface, or portion, 45331 and a non-ramped portion,or surface, 45332. The staple cartridge 45300 further comprises a pan45320 configured to hold the staples within the cartridge body 45310.The pan 45320 is configured to clip onto a deck 45312 of the cartridgebody 45310. The pan 45320 may be removably affixed to the cartridge body45310 by a series of hooks 45321 that are formed on the sidewalls of thecartridge pan 45320 and configured to hookingly engage correspondingportions of the cartridge body 45310. In at least one instance, the pancan comprise the lockout key.

The firing assembly 45500 comprises a firing shaft 45510 configured totransfer firing motions to the firing member 45520. The firing member45520 is attached to a distal end 45513 of the firing shaft 45510. Thefiring member 45520 is biased downwardly by the spring 45420 mounted inthe shaft. More specifically, the spring 45420 pushes the tail 45526 ofthe firing member 45520 downwardly to bias the firing member 45520unless the firing member 45520 is lifted upwardly away from the firinglockout. To lift the firing assembly 45500, the surgical staplingassembly 45000 comprises a floating pin 45600 positioned behind thefiring member 45520 of the firing assembly 45500. The floating pin 45600is supported within a slot, or channel, 45213 defined in the sides ofthe staple cartridge channel 45210. The floating pin 45600 is configuredto move vertically within the slot 45213 by the ramped surfaces 45331.More specifically, the floating pin 45600 is pushed upwardly by thelockout key 45330 into the staple cartridge channel 45210 which, inturn, contacts the bottom edge of the firing member 45520 and pushes thefiring member 45520 upwardly. Thus, the floating pin 45600 keeps thefiring member 45520 from diving into the firing lockout when the staplecartridge 45300 is seated in the staple cartridge channel 45210. Assuch, the lockout key 45330 overcomes the downward spring bias appliedto the firing member 45520 by the spring 45240.

Once the staple cartridge 45300 is fully installed and the firingassembly 45500 is lifted to the position illustrated in FIG. 174, thefiring assembly 45500 can then be advanced distally toward the sled45340 of the staple cartridge 45300. Thus, with the proper lockout key,the first stage of the lockout is defeated. If the sled 45340 is in itsunfired position, a distal nose, or shelf, 45524 of the firing member45520 will land on a corresponding platform 45341 of the sled 45340 andavoid the lockout discussed above. Landing the distal nose 45524 of thefiring member 45520 on the platform 45341 of the sled 45340 when thesled 45340 is in its unfired position defeats a second stage of thelockout. As the firing assembly 45500 is advanced distally, the bottomsurface 45511 rides over the floating pin 45600 and the height of thefiring assembly 45500 is governed by the engagement between the floatingpin 45600, the bottom surface 45511 of the firing shaft 45510, and thelockout key 45600.

Because the height of the firing assembly 45500 is governed by theengagement between the floating pin 45600, the bottom surface 45511 ofthe firing shaft 45510, and the lockout key 45600, the firing shaft45510 is configured such that the firing assembly 45500 may still fallinto the lockout when the sled 45340 of the staple cartridge 45300 isnot in its unfired position. Referring to FIGS. 176 and 177, the bottomsurface 45511 comprises a notch 45515 defined proximal to the distal end45513 of the firing shaft 45510. The notch 45515 is configured such thatthe firing shaft 45510 will fall into the lockout if the sled 45340 isnot present in its unfired position. FIG. 176 illustrates the staplecartridge 45300 installed within the channel 45210; however, the sled45340 is not present in its unfired position. Thus, turning to FIG. 177,the firing shaft 45510 is not sufficiently lifted upwardly by thefloating pin 45600 to lift the firing shaft 45510 out of the lockout.Instead, the firing shaft 45510 is pulled down by the spring 45240 asthe firing assembly 45500 is advanced distally owing to the floating pin45600 fitting in the notch 45515. To perform a staple firing stroke, theimproper cartridge must be removed and replaced with a proper unfiredstaple cartridge.

If a staple cartridge is installed in the surgical stapling assemblythat does not have a proper lockout key, the floating pin 45600 willremain in its lower most position illustrated in FIG. 172. If an attemptis made to advance the firing assembly 45500 distally, the firingassembly 45500 will be unable to overcome the first stage of thelockout.

FIG. 180 depicts the staple cartridge 45300 discussed above. FIG. 181depicts a second staple cartridge 45900 comprising a cartridge body45910 and a pan 45920 configured to hold a plurality of staples in thestaple cartridge 45900. The cartridge body 45910 further comprises alockout key 45930 extending proximally from a proximal face 45913 of thecartridge body 45910. As can be seen from FIGS. 180 and 181, the staplecartridge 45300 and the second staple cartridge 45900 comprise similarfeatures; however, they comprise lockout keys having differentconfigurations. The lockout key 45330 of the staple cartridge 45300comprises a first length 45338 and a first height 45339 while thelockout key 45930 of the second staple cartridge 45900 comprises asecond length 45938 and a second height 45939 which are different thanthe first length 45338 and the first height 45339, respectively. Thestaple cartridges 45300, 45900 are part of a system in which the staplecartridge 45300 can only unlock a first instrument but not a secondinstrument while the second staple cartridge 45900 can only unlock thesecond instrument and not the first instrument. The lockout key 45930comprises a ramped surface 45931 and a flat surface 45932 which havedifferent dimensions than the surfaces 45331, 45332 of the lockout key45330. The lockout key 45330 of the staple cartridge 45300 is shown inphantom lines in FIG. 181 for comparison purposes.

Differing lockout key configurations between similar looking cartridges,for example, can prevent a clinician from inserting and using anincompatible cartridge in a second instrument. In this instance, thelockout keys 45330, 45930 will cause a firing assembly of an instrumentto lift to different heights and at different times during the firingstroke of the firing assembly. Referring back to the floating pin 45600,if the second staple cartridge 45900 is installed in the surgicalstapling assembly 45000, the firing assembly 45500 will be lifted by thefloating pin 45600 at a height which is less than a height at which thefiring assembly 45500 will be lifted by the floating pin 45600 if thestaple cartridge 45300 is installed. This will cause the firing assembly45500 to not be able to land on the sled platform of the second staplecartridge and, instead, will become locked out. This will prevent theuse of an improper staple cartridge within a stapling instrument.

The instrument with which the second staple cartridge 45900 may be usedcan comprise a similar floating pin system as discussed above; however,this floating pin may be located in a different position relative to thesecond staple cartridge 45900 such that the lockout key 45930 can liftthe firing member of this instrument to the appropriate height and atthe appropriate time to land on the sled of the second staple cartridge45900 to bypass the lockout of the instrument. In at least one instance,the lockout keys described herein comprise cartridge body fins, forexample.

Various aspects of the subject matter described herein are set out inthe following examples.

Example 1

A surgical stapling assembly comprising a staple cartridge and astapling instrument configured to receive the staple cartridge therein.The staple cartridge comprises a cartridge body comprising a lockoutkey, a plurality of staples stored within the cartridge body, and a sledconfigured to deploy the staples from the cartridge body. The sled ismovable between an unfired position and a fired position. The staplinginstrument comprises a first jaw, a second jaw movable relative to thefirst jaw, a firing member configured to push the sled to deploy thestaples, and a lockout configured to prevent the firing member fromadvancing distally when the staple cartridge is not properly seatedwithin the stapling instrument and when the sled of the staple cartridgeis not in the unfired position. The lockout key defeats a first stage ofthe lockout when the staple cartridge is fully seated in the staplinginstrument. The sled defeats a second stage of the lockout when the sledis in the unfired position and the staple cartridge is fully seated inthe stapling instrument.

Example 2

The surgical stapling assembly of Example 1, wherein the lockout keycomprises a cartridge body fin extending proximally from a proximal endof the cartridge body.

Example 3

The surgical stapling assembly of Examples 1 or 2, wherein the staplinginstrument further comprises a floating pin supported within the firstjaw, and wherein the floating pin is configured to be engaged by thelockout key to lift the firing member away from the lockout to defeatthe first stage of said lockout.

Example 4

The surgical stapling assembly of Example 3, wherein the lockout keycomprises a cartridge body fin extending proximally from a proximal endof the cartridge body, and wherein the cartridge body fin comprises aramp surface configured to lift the floating pin.

Example 5

The surgical stapling assembly of Examples 3 or 4, wherein said firingmember comprises a knife body and a firing shaft, wherein said firingshaft is configured to transfer firing motions to said knife body, andwherein said floating pin is configured to contact said firing shaft tolift said firing member.

Example 6

The surgical stapling assembly of Examples 3, 4, or 5, wherein thefiring member comprises a knife configured to cut tissue, and whereinthe floating pin is proximal to the knife when the knife is in a homeposition.

Example 7

The surgical stapling assembly of Examples 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6, whereinthe firing member comprises a shelf configured to engage the sled whenthe sled is in the unfired position to defeat the second stage of thelockout after the first stage of the lockout is defeated.

Example 8

The surgical stapling assembly of Examples 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, or 7,wherein the lockout comprises a biasing member configured to bias thefiring member toward a locked configuration.

Example 9

The surgical stapling assembly of Example 8, wherein the surgicalstapling assembly further comprises a spring biased camming memberconfigured to be engaged by the lockout key, and wherein the springbiased camming member is configured to lift the firing member away fromthe locked configuration to defeat the first stage of the lockout whenthe spring biased camming member is engaged by the lockout key.

Example 10

The surgical stapling assembly of Examples 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, or 9,wherein the first stage of the lockout must be defeated before thesecond stage of the lockout.

Example 11

A surgical staple cartridge configured for use with a staplinginstrument. The stapling instrument comprises a first jaw, a second jawmovable relative to the first jaw, and a firing member comprising atissue-cutting knife. The surgical staple cartridge comprises acartridge body comprising a proximal end and a distal end, a pluralityof staples stored within the cartridge body, and a sled configured todeploy the staples from the cartridge body. The sled is movable betweenan unfired position and a fired position within the cartridge body. Thecartridge body comprises a lockout key ramp extending proximally fromthe proximal end of the cartridge body. The lockout key ramp isconfigured to defeat a first stage of a corresponding lockout of thestapling instrument by contacting the firing member proximal to thetissue-cutting knife to lift the firing member when the surgical staplecartridge is properly seated within the stapling instrument. The sled isconfigured to defeat a second stage of the corresponding lockout in thestapling instrument when the sled is in the unfired position.

Example 12

The surgical staple cartridge of Example 11, wherein the lockout keyramp extends proximally from a proximal end of the cartridge body.

Example 13

The surgical staple cartridge of Examples 11 or 12, wherein thecartridge body comprises a first side and a second side, and wherein thelockout key ramp comprises a first ramp extending proximally from thefirst side of the cartridge body and a second ramp extending proximallyfrom the second side of the cartridge body.

Example 14

A stapling assembly configured to receive a surgical staple cartridgetherein. The stapling assembly comprises a firing assembly comprising afiring member configured to deploy staples of a surgical staplecartridge installed in the stapling assembly, a first jaw, a second jawmovable relative to the first jaw, and a lockout configured to preventthe firing member from being advanced distally when an unfired surgicalstaple cartridge is not installed within the stapling assembly. Thelockout comprises a biasing member configured to bias the firing membertoward a locked configuration. The firing assembly further comprises acamming member and a shelf. The camming member is configured to lift thefiring member to defeat a first stage of the lockout. The camming memberis configured to be engaged by a lockout key of the surgical staplecartridge. The shelf is configured to prevent the firing member fromfalling into the lockout to defeat a second stage of the lockout. Theshelf is configured to engage an unfired sled of the surgical staplecartridge to defeat the second stage of the lockout.

Example 15

The stapling assembly of Example 14, wherein the firing member comprisesa knife, and wherein the camming member is positioned proximal to theknife.

Example 16

The stapling assembly of Examples 14 or 15, wherein the first jawcomprises a channel configured to receive the surgical staple cartridge,wherein the camming member comprises a floating pin supported within thechannel underneath the firing member.

Example 17

The stapling assembly of Examples 14, 15, or 16, wherein the second jawis pivotable about a pivot axis, and wherein the camming member ispositioned distal to the pivot axis.

Example 18

The stapling assembly of Examples 14, 15, 16, or 17, wherein the firingmember comprises a shelf configured to engage a sled of the surgicalstaple cartridge when the sled is in an unfired position to defeat thesecond stage of the lockout after the first stage of the lockout isdefeated.

Example 19

The stapling assembly of Examples 14, 15, 16, 17, or 18, wherein thelockout comprises a biasing member configured to bias the firing membertoward a locked configuration.

Example 20

The stapling assembly of Examples 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, or 19, wherein thestapling assembly further comprises a spring biased camming memberconfigured to be engaged by a lockout key of the surgical staplecartridge, and wherein the spring biased camming member is configured tolift the firing member away from the locked configuration to defeat thefirst stage of the lockout when the spring biased camming member isengaged by the lockout key.

Many of the surgical instrument systems described herein are motivatedby an electric motor; however, the surgical instrument systems describedherein can be motivated in any suitable manner. In various instances,the surgical instrument systems described herein can be motivated by amanually-operated trigger, for example. In certain instances, the motorsdisclosed herein may comprise a portion or portions of a roboticallycontrolled system. Moreover, any of the end effectors and/or toolassemblies disclosed herein can be utilized with a robotic surgicalinstrument system. U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/118,241, entitledSURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENTS WITH ROTATABLE STAPLE DEPLOYMENTARRANGEMENTS, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,072,535, for example, disclosesseveral examples of a robotic surgical instrument system in greaterdetail.

The surgical instrument systems described herein have been described inconnection with the deployment and deformation of staples; however, theembodiments described herein are not so limited. Various embodiments areenvisioned which deploy fasteners other than staples, such as clamps ortacks, for example. Moreover, various embodiments are envisioned whichutilize any suitable means for sealing tissue. For instance, an endeffector in accordance with various embodiments can comprise electrodesconfigured to heat and seal the tissue. Also, for instance, an endeffector in accordance with certain embodiments can apply vibrationalenergy to seal the tissue.

The entire disclosures of:

U.S. Pat. No. 5,403,312, entitled ELECTROSURGICAL HEMOSTATIC DEVICE,which issued on Apr. 4, 1995;

U.S. Pat. No. 7,000,818, entitled SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENT HAVINGSEPARATE DISTINCT CLOSING AND FIRING SYSTEMS, which issued on Feb. 21,2006;

U.S. Pat. No. 7,422,139, entitled MOTOR-DRIVEN SURGICAL CUTTING ANDFASTENING INSTRUMENT WITH TACTILE POSITION FEEDBACK, which issued onSep. 9, 2008;

U.S. Pat. No. 7,464,849, entitled ELECTRO-MECHANICAL SURGICAL INSTRUMENTWITH CLOSURE SYSTEM AND ANVIL ALIGNMENT COMPONENTS, which issued on Dec.16, 2008;

U.S. Pat. No. 7,670,334, entitled SURGICAL INSTRUMENT HAVING ANARTICULATING END EFFECTOR, which issued on Mar. 2, 2010;

U.S. Pat. No. 7,753,245, entitled SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENTS, whichissued on Jul. 13, 2010;

U.S. Pat. No. 8,393,514, entitled SELECTIVELY ORIENTABLE IMPLANTABLEFASTENER CARTRIDGE, which issued on Mar. 12, 2013;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/343,803, entitled SURGICALINSTRUMENT HAVING RECORDING CAPABILITIES, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,845,537;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/031,573, entitled SURGICAL CUTTINGAND FASTENING INSTRUMENT HAVING RF ELECTRODES, filed Feb. 14, 2008;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/031,873, entitled END EFFECTORS FORA SURGICAL CUTTING AND STAPLING INSTRUMENT, filed Feb. 15, 2008, nowU.S. Pat. No. 7,980,443;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/235,782, entitled MOTOR-DRIVENSURGICAL CUTTING INSTRUMENT, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,210,411;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/235,972, entitled MOTORIZED SURGICALINSTRUMENT, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,050,083.

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/249,117, entitled POWERED SURGICALCUTTING AND STAPLING APPARATUS WITH MANUALLY RETRACTABLE FIRING SYSTEM,now U.S. Pat. No. 8,608,045;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/647,100, entitled MOTOR-DRIVENSURGICAL CUTTING INSTRUMENT WITH ELECTRIC ACTUATOR DIRECTIONAL CONTROLASSEMBLY, filed Dec. 24, 2009, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,220,688;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/893,461, entitled STAPLE CARTRIDGE,filed Sep. 29, 2012, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,733,613;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/036,647, entitled SURGICAL STAPLINGINSTRUMENT, filed Feb. 28, 2011, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,561,870;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/118,241, entitled SURGICAL STAPLINGINSTRUMENTS WITH ROTATABLE STAPLE DEPLOYMENT ARRANGEMENTS, now U.S. Pat.No. 9,072,535;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/524,049, entitled ARTICULATABLESURGICAL INSTRUMENT COMPRISING A FIRING DRIVE, filed on Jun. 15, 2012,now U.S. Pat. No. 9,101,358;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/800,025, entitled STAPLE CARTRIDGETISSUE THICKNESS SENSOR SYSTEM, filed on Mar. 13, 2013, now U.S. Pat.No. 9,345,481;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/800,067, entitled STAPLE CARTRIDGETISSUE THICKNESS SENSOR SYSTEM, filed on Mar. 13, 2013, now U.S. PatentApplication Publication No. 2014/0263552;

U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2007/0175955, entitled SURGICALCUTTING AND FASTENING INSTRUMENT WITH CLOSURE TRIGGER LOCKING MECHANISM,filed Jan. 31, 2006; and

U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2010/0264194, entitled SURGICALSTAPLING INSTRUMENT WITH AN ARTICULATABLE END EFFECTOR, filed Apr. 22,2010, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,308,040, are hereby incorporated by referenceherein.

Although various devices have been described herein in connection withcertain embodiments, modifications and variations to those embodimentsmay be implemented. Particular features, structures, or characteristicsmay be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. Thus,the particular features, structures, or characteristics illustrated ordescribed in connection with one embodiment may be combined in whole orin part, with the features, structures or characteristics of one oremore other embodiments without limitation. Also, where materials aredisclosed for certain components, other materials may be used.Furthermore, according to various embodiments, a single component may bereplaced by multiple components, and multiple components may be replacedby a single component, to perform a given function or functions. Theforegoing description and following claims are intended to cover allsuch modification and variations.

The devices disclosed herein can be designed to be disposed of after asingle use, or they can be designed to be used multiple times. In eithercase, however, a device can be reconditioned for reuse after at leastone use. Reconditioning can include any combination of the stepsincluding, but not limited to, the disassembly of the device, followedby cleaning or replacement of particular pieces of the device, andsubsequent reassembly of the device. In particular, a reconditioningfacility and/or surgical team can disassemble a device and, aftercleaning and/or replacing particular parts of the device, the device canbe reassembled for subsequent use. Those skilled in the art willappreciate that reconditioning of a device can utilize a variety oftechniques for disassembly, cleaning/replacement, and reassembly. Use ofsuch techniques, and the resulting reconditioned device, are all withinthe scope of the present application.

The devices disclosed herein may be processed before surgery. First, anew or used instrument may be obtained and, when necessary, cleaned. Theinstrument may then be sterilized. In one sterilization technique, theinstrument is placed in a closed and sealed container, such as a plasticor TYVEK bag. The container and instrument may then be placed in a fieldof radiation that can penetrate the container, such as gamma radiation,x-rays, and/or high-energy electrons. The radiation may kill bacteria onthe instrument and in the container. The sterilized instrument may thenbe stored in the sterile container. The sealed container may keep theinstrument sterile until it is opened in a medical facility. A devicemay also be sterilized using any other technique known in the art,including but not limited to beta radiation, gamma radiation, ethyleneoxide, plasma peroxide, and/or steam.

While this invention has been described as having exemplary designs, thepresent invention may be further modified within the spirit and scope ofthe disclosure. This application is therefore intended to cover anyvariations, uses, or adaptations of the invention using its generalprinciples.

What is claimed is:
 1. A surgical stapling assembly, comprising: astaple cartridge, comprising: a cartridge body comprising a lockout key;a plurality of staples stored within said cartridge body; and a sledconfigured to deploy said staples from said cartridge body, wherein saidsled is movable between an unfired position and a fired position; and astapling instrument configured to receive said staple cartridge therein,wherein said stapling instrument comprises: a first jaw; a second jawmovable relative to said first jaw; a firing member configured to pushsaid sled to deploy said staples; and a lockout configured to preventsaid firing member from advancing distally when said staple cartridge isnot properly seated within said stapling instrument and when said sledof said staple cartridge is not in said unfired position, wherein saidlockout key defeats a first stage of said lockout when said staplecartridge is fully seated in said stapling instrument, and wherein saidsled defeats a second stage of said lockout when said sled is in saidunfired position and said staple cartridge is fully seated in saidstapling instrument.
 2. The surgical stapling assembly of claim 1,wherein said lockout key comprises a cartridge body fin extendingproximally from a proximal end of said cartridge body.
 3. The surgicalstapling assembly of claim 1, wherein said stapling instrument furthercomprises a floating pin supported within said first jaw, wherein saidfloating pin is configured to be engaged by said lockout key to liftsaid firing member away from said lockout to defeat said first stage ofsaid lockout.
 4. The surgical stapling assembly of claim 3, wherein saidlockout key comprises a cartridge body fin extending proximally from aproximal end of said cartridge body, and wherein said cartridge body fincomprises a ramp surface configured to lift said floating pin.
 5. Thesurgical stapling assembly of claim 4, wherein said firing membercomprises a knife body and a firing shaft, wherein said firing shaft isconfigured to transfer firing motions to said knife body, and whereinsaid floating pin is configured to contact said firing shaft to liftsaid firing member.
 6. The surgical stapling assembly of claim 4,wherein said firing member comprises a knife configured to cut tissue,and wherein said floating pin is proximal to said knife when said knifeis in a home position.
 7. The surgical stapling assembly of claim 1,wherein said firing member comprises a shelf configured to engage saidsled when said sled is in said unfired position to defeat said secondstage of said lockout after said first stage of said lockout isdefeated.
 8. The surgical stapling assembly of claim 1, wherein saidlockout comprises a biasing member configured to bias said firing membertoward a locked configuration.
 9. The surgical stapling assembly ofclaim 8, wherein said surgical stapling assembly further comprises aspring biased camming member configured to be engaged by said lockoutkey, and wherein said spring biased camming member is configured to liftsaid firing member away from said locked configuration to defeat saidfirst stage of said lockout when said spring biased camming member isengaged by said lockout key.
 10. The surgical stapling assembly of claim1, wherein said first stage of said lockout must be defeated before saidsecond stage of said lockout.
 11. A surgical staple cartridge configuredfor use with a stapling instrument, wherein the stapling instrumentcomprises a first jaw, a second jaw movable relative to the first jaw,and a firing member comprising a tissue-cutting knife, and wherein saidsurgical staple cartridge comprises: a cartridge body comprising aproximal end and a distal end; a plurality of staples stored within saidcartridge body; and a sled configured to deploy said staples from saidcartridge body, wherein said sled is movable between an unfired positionand a fired position within said cartridge body, wherein said cartridgebody comprises a lockout key ramp extending proximally from saidproximal end of said cartridge body, and wherein said lockout key rampis configured to defeat a first stage of a corresponding lockout of thestapling instrument by contacting the firing member proximal to thetissue-cutting knife to lift the firing member when said surgical staplecartridge is properly seated within the stapling instrument, and whereinsaid sled is configured to defeat a second stage of the correspondinglockout in the stapling instrument when said sled is in said unfiredposition.
 12. The surgical staple cartridge of claim 11, wherein saidlockout key ramp extends proximally from a proximal end of saidcartridge body.
 13. The surgical staple cartridge of claim 11, whereinsaid cartridge body comprises a first side and a second side, andwherein said lockout key ramp comprises a first ramp extendingproximally from said first side of said cartridge body and a second rampextending proximally from said second side of said cartridge body.
 14. Astapling assembly configured to receive a surgical staple cartridgetherein, wherein said stapling assembly comprises: a firing assemblycomprising a firing member configured to deploy staples of a surgicalstaple cartridge installed in said stapling assembly; a first jaw; asecond jaw movable relative to said first jaw; and a lockout configuredto prevent said firing member from being advanced distally when anunfired surgical staple cartridge is not installed within said staplingassembly, wherein said lockout comprises a biasing member configured tobias said firing member toward a locked configuration, wherein saidfiring assembly further comprises: a camming member configured to liftsaid firing member to defeat a first stage of said lockout, wherein saidcamming member is configured to be engaged by a lockout key of thesurgical staple cartridge; and a shelf configured to prevent said firingmember from falling into said lockout to defeat a second stage of saidlockout, wherein said shelf is configured to engage an unfired sled ofthe surgical staple cartridge to defeat said second stage of saidlockout.
 15. The stapling assembly of claim 14, wherein said firingmember comprises a knife, and wherein said camming member is positionedproximal to said knife.
 16. The stapling assembly of claim 15, whereinsaid first jaw comprises a channel configured to receive the surgicalstaple cartridge, wherein said camming member comprises a floating pinsupported within said channel underneath said firing member.
 17. Thestapling assembly of claim 15, wherein said second jaw is pivotableabout a pivot axis, and wherein said camming member is positioned distalto said pivot axis.
 18. The stapling assembly of claim 14, wherein saidfiring member comprises a shelf configured to engage a sled of thesurgical staple cartridge when the sled is in an unfired position todefeat said second stage of said lockout after said first stage of saidlockout is defeated.
 19. The stapling assembly of claim 14, wherein saidlockout comprises a biasing member configured to bias said firing membertoward a locked configuration.
 20. The stapling assembly of claim 14,wherein said stapling assembly further comprises a spring biased cammingmember configured to be engaged by a lockout key of the surgical staplecartridge, and wherein said spring biased camming member is configuredto lift said firing member away from said locked configuration to defeatsaid first stage of said lockout when said spring biased camming memberis engaged by said lockout key.